When Comparison Distorts Reality

A Reflection on Psalm 73

We live in a world where comparison is no longer occasional — it is constant.

Every day, we scroll past curated images of other people’s lives: beautiful homes, thriving businesses, luxury vacations, glowing families, and effortless success. We are shown highlight reels, not behind-the-scenes realities. We see outcomes, not the compromises. We see prosperity, not the price paid to obtain it.

And if we are not careful, what we see begins to move what we believe.

Our footing becomes unstable not because God has moved — but because our gaze has.

We begin comparing our obedience to someone else’s outcomes.
Our faithfulness to someone else’s favor.
Our integrity to someone else’s influence.

And slowly, subtly, our feet begin to slide.

There are moments in our walk with God when obedience feels costly, and faith feels unrewarded.

We look around and see people who disregard God flourishing. They are unbothered, unburdened, and seemingly untouched by the weight of life. Meanwhile, those who are trying to live with integrity are struggling, stretched, and sometimes suffering.

And if we are honest, there are moments when our hearts whisper the same question Asaph asked in Psalm 73: “Was it all in vain?”

Asaph does not pretend his faith is strong when it is not. He does not sanitize his emotions for God. He brings his confusion, jealousy, frustration, and disappointment into the presence of the Lord. He admits:

“But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.” (Psalm 73:2)

Not because God failed — but because what he saw almost overruled what he knew.

That honesty is not rebellion.
It is relationship.

But the turning point of Psalm 73 is not a change in circumstances — it is a change in location.

“Until I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.” (Psalm 73:17)

It was not until Asaph entered God’s presence that his footing was restored.

In the sanctuary, his vision shifted from the temporary to the eternal. He realized that what looked like a blessing was actually fragile. What looked like success was actually slippery ground. What looked like peace was actually a shallow, fleeting comfort.

What appeared stable was actually unstable.
What appeared secure was actually unsafe.

And what looked like loss in his own life was actually protection.
What felt like discipline was actually love.
What seemed like delay was actually divine guidance.

In God’s presence, Asaph saw that prosperity without God is not prosperity at all.

The greatest danger is not suffering — it is thriving without God and mistaking it for security.

It is possible to gain visibility and lose your soul.
To gain influence and lose your integrity.
To gain comfort and lose your closeness to God.

Asaph repents of the bitterness that had taken root in his heart. He realizes that while he was measuring his life against others, God was holding his hand the entire time.

“Yet I am always with You; You hold me by my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will take me into glory.” (Psalm 73:23–24)

This is the great reorientation of the soul:
That God Himself is the reward.

Not ease.
Not comfort.
Not recognition.
Not visible success.

But God.

“Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You.” (Psalm 73:25)

Psalm 73 teaches us that comparison distorts reality, but communion restores it — and that what we look at determines where our feet go.

When we fix our eyes on others, our footing becomes uncertain.
When we fix our eyes on God, our steps become secure.

The wicked may flourish for a moment, but the righteous are anchored for eternity.

So if your heart has been weary…
If obedience feels lonely…
If faith feels costly…
If doing the right thing feels unseen…

Let Psalm 73 remind you: do not allow what you see to cause your foot to slip.
Your nearness to God is not wasted.
Your integrity is not invisible.
Your faith is not in vain.

“But as for me, it is good to be near God.” (Psalm 73:28)

That is not a consolation prize.
That is the treasure.

Closing Prayer

Lord, guard our hearts and our footing. When our eyes are tempted by what others have, keep our feet from slipping. Anchor us in truth when appearances are loud, and Your ways feel quiet. Teach us to walk by faith and not by sight, to stand firm when comparison invites compromise, and to trust You when obedience feels costly. Be our portion, our security, and our reward. Anchor us in You — not in what we see, but in who You are. Amen.