Five-Star Monday Mornings

Start Your Week with God's Word … and Some Other Probing Points


January 19, 2026


You probably remember how, in school, when you had a test to take, your teachers told you not to look around but to keep your eyes forward and focused on your own work. That's good advice in life, too.


⭐️  Perspective — Psalm 113

5Who is like the Lord our God? 

He is seated on high. 

6He bends down to look at the heavens and at the earth. 

7He raises the poor from the dust.

He lifts the needy from the garbage pile 

8 to seat them with nobles, 

with the nobles of his people. 

9He is the one who settles the barren woman in her home 

as a joyful mother of children. 

Praise the Lord. — Psalm 113:5–9 (EHV) 

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⭐️  Pearl — John 21:21,22

21When Peter saw him [John], he asked Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” 

22“If I want him to remain until I come,” Jesus answered, “what is that to you? You follow me.” (EHV)


This exchange took place after Christ’s resurrection, when he met his disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. After Peter's denials the night before he was crucified, that disciple needed some careful and loving attention from his Lord. Jesus assured Peter that he was restored to his service.


And then Peter saw John and couldn’t help comparing himself to that other disciple. So Jesus nipped that in the bud and pointed Peter back to him and forward to his calling.


Comparing ourselves to other people is rarely helpful or healthy. It’s also not something God wants us to do. Instead, he wants us to focus on whatever work and responsibilities he has called us to — and not on anyone else. This is something we often need to be reminded of as we go about our various vocations and in our workdays and weeks.


The only comparison that really matters is the one in Psalm 113 above: Compare God to everyone and everything else — even yourself — and see how he is not just infinitely more powerful, but also infinitely better. That’s the God who has called you to do what is in front of you this week, so it will be your joy to do those things the best that you can.


And if at some point someone else’s advantages or accomplishments, or their perks or privileges get your attention and you are tempted to compare yourself to him or her, you can use Jesus’ words to fix your focus: “What is that to me?” 


And then praise the Lord for all he has done for and given to you!

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⭐️  Point of Fact — Psychology & Sociology Know This, Too

It’s not news to you that there are many, many problems associated with the use (and especially the misuse) of social media. One of the biggest is what it can do to one’s mental and emotional health, and comparison to others is often central to that.


Comparing yourself to the version of other people that you see on their carefully curated pages, in their super-edited reels, and with their not-at-all representative photos of their families and lifestyles doesn’t lead you anywhere good. It can cause or contribute to dissatisfaction with your own life, depression, anxiety, low self-worth, and an overall sense of inadequacy (among other things). You can look up the data on this online, but you probably don’t have to — you see its truth in yourself or in people around you.

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⭐️  Pith

“Comparison is the thief of joy.” (uncertain origin; often attributed to Theodore Roosevelt)

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⭐️  Prayer

Lord, far too often we look at others and what they are or have and want to ask you, “What about them?” Help us, we pray, to stay focused on our own callings from you and not to covet anyone else’s gifts, vocations, or opportunities. At the same time, we ask you to bless us in our callings, that we may serve and love both you and our neighbor through them. Just as you lifted us up in grace, equip and lead us to lift others up to the greater things you are eager to give them. Amen.


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