The Two Silent Thieves Robbing Your Everyday Joy
We all know the iconic Easter scene: Jesus on the cross, bounded by two thieves. It’s a powerful image from Scripture, but have you ever considered how it mirrors the subtle battles we face every single day?
Stay with me for a moment.
Imagine those two thieves aren’t just figures from history, but representations of the very things that can steal our joy. On one side, let’s picture Expectation that nagging inner voice dictating how our lives should look right now. And on the other? That’s Comparison the sneaky habit of constantly measuring our journey against everyone else’s highlight reel.
And right there in the middle, bearing the weight of it all is our inherent Joy.
But here’s the stark truth: if we’re not careful, expectation and comparison will quietly rob us of the very joy that’s meant to be ours.
Expectation: The Thief of “Should Be”
Expectations aren’t inherently bad. They fuel our dreams and motivate us. But when our hopes harden into rigid demands, that’s when the trouble starts. We build a mental picture of where we should be in our careers, relationships, finances, and family life. When reality inevitably deviates from this script, disappointment creeps in, stealing the joy of the present moment.
Ever found yourself thinking, “By now, I thought I’d have achieved X, Y, or Z”? That’s an expectation at work, measuring your current reality against an imagined future and diminishing your present contentment.
Comparison: The Thief of “Not Enough”
Then there’s comparison, a far more insidious thief in our modern world. It lurks in our social media feeds, whispers during conversations, and constantly points out who seems to be doing “better,” living a “bigger” life, or looking “happier.” Suddenly, our own perfectly ordinary day feels inadequate.
Thoughts like, “Why doesn’t my relationship look like that?” or “How are they already so successful?” chip away at our joy, making us feel like we’re falling behind in a race we never even signed up for. Comparison keeps our focus outward, blinding us to the unique beauty and progress of our path.
Finding Joy in the Middle of It All
Every day, we face a similar choice. Will we allow our energy to be consumed by what should have been (Expectation) or what others have (Comparison)? Or will we turn our attention to the “Jesus” in our own lives, that inherent capacity for joy that exists even amidst imperfection?
True joy isn’t a destination reached by meeting certain expectations or surpassing others. It’s found in the presence of being fully engaged in the here and now. It’s in the small moments of gratitude, the simple acts of kindness, and the quiet connection to something larger than ourselves.
This Everyday “Easter”
Let this be the moment you recognize the silent thieves trying to steal your everyday joy. Expectations and comparisons might always be lurking, but they don’t have to win. Just like the thief who turned to Jesus, we can choose a different path.
Choose to embrace the messy beauty of your journey. Choose gratitude for what is, rather than longing for what “should be” or what others possess. Choose to be present in the small moments.
Your joy isn’t contingent on perfection or outdoing anyone else. It’s waiting for you right now, in the middle of your perfectly imperfect life. Choose to see it. Choose to embrace it. Choose joy.
Happy Easter
