Writing Prompt: Did something come to mind right away when I said “That’s not fair?” Do you find yourself not measuring up to others or feeling cheated? Or complete this thought: They have ___, but I can’t or don’t because ___. Please write about what isn’t fair.

Comparison often uses the “that’s not fair” tactic to gain control, often spinning us into negative mindsets or outright judgment of others. It’s true: sometimes life just isn’t fair.
Inhale deep and wide and long, and exhale slowly. Let’s pray…

Opening Prayer: Father God, with hearts open wide we welcome the presence of your Holy Spirit among us. Help us to remove comparison from our minds. The grass may initially look greener, but upon further investigation, that grass was not intended for us. May we fully trust you and surrender our need for control. In His precious name, I pray, Amen.

Remain in this prayerful state for the next few minutes, breathing deeply, using the 3-Part Breath, as I read a story Jesus told from Matthew 20:1-16 (ESV):

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ So the last will be first, and the first last.”

Breath Prayer: Inhale: Original / Approval / Harmony

Exhale: Copy / Blame / Discord

Comparison can rack up depression, discontentment, and other potentially devastating side effects when not controlled.
God created you an original. Keep your eyes on your own path. God loves you just the way you are. Where is your focus?

“For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead.” Psalm 86:13

The failure to claim control over comparison is partially to blame for many major life crashes and accidents in which we find ourselves. When we appreciate the assets that we have in our lives and all of the things and opportunities that God gives us, we are more apt to live as vessels of love. Stand firm on your Foundation.

“He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.” Deuteronomy 32:4 (NIV)

Trust God. He is good all the time, often moving beyond our earthly understanding. God doesn’t have to explain anything to you. But He is the only one qualified to judge the world. God is fair, the world usually isn’t. Where is your focus?

"If God were not entirely fair, how would he be qualified to judge the world?”

Romans 3:6 (NLT)

Earthly life may not feel fair, but the Kingdom of God generously distributes to each of his followers uniquely. You are an original. Stay in your lane.
Let’s return to, the final sentence of our opening Scripture passage

“So, the last will be first, and the first last.” Matthew 20:16 (ESV)

Comparison often uses the “that’s not fair” tactic to gain control, often spinning us into negative mindsets or outright judgment of others. Sometimes life just isn’t fair. God is the only one qualified to judge the world. Where is your focus?

Closing Prayer:

“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6: 24-26)

May the blessings of this practice remain with you,

enriching your life and the lives of those you meet.

In His mighty name, I pray,

Amen

Thank you for practicing with me, Shalom

Published Fall 2021, Christian Yoga Magazine

Unsplash Image @theeastlondonphotographer