We believe we're much more unhappy

"Alas," said Monte Cristo, "it is the infirmity of our nature always to believe ourselves much more unhappy than those who groan by our sides."

I must confess the above quote, from Alexadre Dumas' classic work of fiction The Count of Monte Cristo, was convicting to read. The adage that all truth is God's truth is certainly true in this case. I find that I overestimate my own suffering, maximizing it's impact in my own mind. Simultaneously, I also minimize the difficulty that other people are experiencing. I want to have a disposition that recognizes other's suffering and respond accordingly. My inward focus and self- inflated view of my own troubles is far from Christ-exalting.