“Comparison is the thief of joy.”
That phrase gets tossed around a lot, but it’s worth sitting with — especially during Lent.
Even in the Catholic world, even in our pursuit of holiness, we can fall into the trap of comparison. She’s doing that devotion. He’s fasting from everything but air. They’re praying a daily Rosary, going to adoration, and reading the Catechism cover to cover. And then there’s... you.
You start to feel guilty — not because you’ve discerned God asking you to do more, but because someone else is doing more. And suddenly Lent feels like a spiritual competition, and you’re in last place.
This isn’t a soapbox rant. I’ve done this myself. It’s easy to fall into. Because some practices are more visible. They’re easy to post, easy to promote. But others? Not so much.
Some of the holiest sacrifices are the hidden ones. The kind only God sees.
So don’t fall for the trap. God isn’t calling you to be someone else. He’s calling you to be you — fully, faithfully, and sacrificially His.
Lent isn’t a contest. It’s a journey to the Cross — and we each have our own path to walk. Keep your eyes on Christ, not on everyone else’s progress. He knows your heart. Let that be enough.