No Comparison / 不要攀比

[Dexu Xia]

No Comparison

A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30

“One of these days I’m going to put it all on Facebook—not just the good stuff!”

My friend Sue’s comment—made casually over lunch with her husband—caused me to laugh out loud and also to think. Social media can be a good thing, helping us stay in touch with and pray for friends across the years and miles. But if we’re not careful, it can also create an unrealistic outlook on life. When much of what we see posted is a “highlight reel” of “the good stuff,” we can be misled into thinking others’ lives are without trouble, and wonder where our own went wrong.

Comparing ourselves with others is a sure recipe for unhappiness. When the disciples compared themselves to each other (see Luke 9:46; 22:24), Jesus quickly discouraged it. Soon after His resurrection, Jesus told Peter how he would suffer for his faith. Peter then turned to John and asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me” (John 21:21–22).

Jesus pointed Peter to the best remedy for unhealthy comparisons. When our minds are focused on God and all He’s done for us, self-focused thoughts fall gently away and we long to follow Him. In place of the world’s competitive strain and stress, He gives us His loving presence and peace. Nothing can compare with Him.

不要攀比

心中安静，是肉体的生命；嫉妒是骨中的朽烂。-箴言14章30节

朋友苏仪在与丈夫共进午餐时，不经意地说：“有一天，我要把所有的事，包括好事和坏事，都放到脸书上！”我知道了不禁失笑，但这也让我深思。社交媒体是极好的平台，使我们跨越距离与老朋友保持联系并为他们祷告，但若不小心，可能会对生活有不切实际的看法。当我们只看到别人上传生活中的精彩片段和美好体验，可能会误以为别人总是无忧无虑，而纳闷自己的生活为何并非如此。

与人攀比绝不会令人感到开心。当门徒之间相互比较时（参阅路加福音9章46节，22章24节），耶稣立即劝阻他们。耶稣在复活后，祂说到彼得将会为信仰遭受极大的苦难。那时彼得转身看见约翰，就问耶稣说：“主啊，这人将来如何？”耶稣回答说：“我若要他等到我来的时候，与你何干？你跟从我吧！”（约翰福音21章21-22节）

耶稣让彼得知道解决不良攀比最好的方法。当你我的心思意念专注于上帝，以及祂为我们所行的一切时，我们就会逐渐不再以自我为中心，进而渴望跟随上帝。上帝会赐给我们祂慈爱的同在与平安，代替这世上的激烈竞争与重重压力。让我们永远谨记，没有任何事物能与上帝相比！

你如何能以尊荣上帝的方式使用社交媒体？
与上帝亲密的关系，如何使你远离不良的攀比？

攀比会夺走心中的喜乐。