Sometimes life feels like a game of “keeping up with the Joneses.” Have you ever felt this way?

A friend receives a promotion and you begin to feel dissatisfied with your job. A neighbor adds an addition to her home, and your house starts to feel small and outdated. A co-worker’s daughter enrolls in an Ivy League school, and you question your children’s commitment to their studies.

Suddenly, in a matter of minutes,  you go from feeling completely content to utterly dissatisfied. I have to keep pace, you think to yourself. If I don’t, I’ll be the one dragging behind. If I just work harder, or save more money, I’ll stack up.

When it comes down to it, you don’t need—or even necessarily want—a different job or a renovated home. But in these moments, feelings of inadequacy, jealousness and even envy can take over. Just wait, you think to yourself. I’ll have it all together soon.

In my own life, I have a tendency to fall into this trap. I want to be perceived as innovative and successful. And I want to keep up with the competition. So, often when I least expect it, I start comparing myself to my friends, neighbors, co-workers and even family members. Every time, my inadequacy shines through.

If you’re anything like me, this game of keeping up with the Joneses can drive you to focus on material things—houses, money, appearance, careers, social status. And it can drive you to lose sight of God.

The next time you find yourself playing this game, you can turn to God’s Word for encouragement—and a reminder to keep your eyes on him. These three Bible verses will get you started:

1. Matthew 6:33 (GNTD)
   Instead, be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with what he requires of you, and he will provide you with all these other things.
2. 2 Corinthians 12:9b (GNTD)
   But his answer was: “My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak.” I am most happy, then, to be proud of my weaknesses, in order to feel the protection of Christ's power over me.
3. John 9:12b
   “I am the light of the world,” he said. “Whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness.”