“It could be worse.”

Of course, it could. We use those words to comfort ourselves or others. And it works…sort of. It can prompt us to pause before we feel too sorry for ourselves or spur gratitude for our situation while feeling compassion for others. What harm could it possibly do to remind ourselves it could be worse?

It’s not the reminder in itself that could be harmful, but consider the process. What’s the goal of comparing ourselves to others? Most likely, it’s to alleviate our pain. We want comfort. I’d say that’s an expected human response. But consider what God might want for us. He doesn’t want us to wallow in our circumstances. He also doesn’t want us to seek comfort and miss out on the struggles and consequential lessons we can learn through the situations of everyday life.

God wants us to ask Him what His perspective and plan is. He wants us to trust Him, not do things our own way. He wants us to retreat into His presence, not find a way to flee the discomfort of our circumstance.

What’s the alternate to claiming “it could be worse”?

God, define this circumstance and let me see you in the details instead of getting stuck in my perspective. Help me be grateful for everything, as if fits into your will, not my understanding. Stop me from comparing myself to others. You are the only one who can define me and every single thing in my life. I trust you, and I want to honor you in the way I respond to everything. I’m going to be authentic and express my feelings to you, even though they might seem raw and harsh at times. But I know as I completely yield to you, you will filter everything through your will and help me leave my perspective and will behind, replacing it with yours.