Keep the Right Perspective
Day 42
Jealousy: what Satan uses to make me want what God has entrusted to someone else.
Ouch.
Ouch again.
I recently discovered this verse, “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice” James 3:16 ESV. It pegged me. My life was in disorder and I found myself participating in what I knew God had instructed me not to do. I could not understand why I was doing what I was doing. The disorder puzzled me. I prayed. I read my Bible. I asked others to pray.
Faithfully, God heard my cries and prayers. Satan had succeeded in making me want what God had entrusted to someone else.
It is an ongoing struggle. I have become intentional in putting the right things in my mind and spirit to wash away the wrong. What goes in comes out so I have to put in good stuff. I thank God for His long-suffering with me. Experiencing His great grace helps me give generously give it to others. Through confession and submission I am being transformed.
As I think about jealous and envy I realize it is something that has always been a part of me. Now as an adult I have to desire to change and be changed. I did not get her over night and I won’t get there (a better me) over night.
Wendy, jealousy is such a big thing in my life. God speaks to me daily about it. I want another baby, a bigger house, smarter kids. Some days I ignore all my blessings and don’t see what God has already given me because I am so full of lust for other things. It is one of one emotions I wish I could cut out of my soul because it causes so much strife and discord. The spirit of competition has been with me for a long time and it is hard for it to not be the default thought pattern.
I used to get jealous too. Mine was over others losing weight & I wasn’t. Till recently I connected with an old middle school friend that accepted Jesus Christ & told me I am a beautiful woman & to take it one day at a time. The weight doesn’t fall off overnight. So I count calories do little exercise & I love myself & have lost 20 pounds nce 12/6/12. Then the enemy started to attack with other things about school & my health, my financials but there’s nothing wrong with me I just needed to strengthen my Faith in the Lord & I found proverbs 31 ministries. Thx Wendy & all other ladies in the ministry. I love u all
It seems like i struggle when i dont accept God has given me my portion. I dont have kids mate or home of my own. I cant even have a dog. But truly these are luxuries i had a poor relationship and was abused for years i would covet and b angry with those with healthy happy homes who would dare complain, but God blesses who He chooses how He chooses. So coveting and malice which might as well b murder is wrong. When you covet you kill. You can kill literally or spiritually meaning you kill the person you covet through words or actions. Maybe God has graciously blessed them and you are made to suffer, your heart can turn dark. The thing God never tells you you may not have a good reason like your life sucks and thiers doesnt. But He tells you dont. Bc you are playing judge and God like you know what is best for that person and not God. God may not want you blessed in the same way bc He has a different plan for you. Or you may need more gratefulness or He has a plan and what you are asking its part of it. Either way you are playing God trying to decide what is best and only He can do that. So you get downcast like cain, and resent your own blessing. I try to remind myself they i could have nothing. And choose to b thankful, sometimes i struggle with this alot. But its still sin. Its easy when things are bad but its then i HAVE to trust God is sovereign.
This great, Wendy! Thanks for the Saturday morning encouragement!!
I have truly struggled with jealousy. Often it comes from missing my sons that have grown up and have families of their own. Often it comes when my physical pain is great. Often it comes when I am not praying or reading God’s word. Each day when I write my prayers, I have an admission section and I often have to admit that I am or was jealous. Is it normal to want more? If it is normal am I willing to put forth the effort, the first two words of willing is will I? Am I willing to put the effort into improving a relationship. I am sometimes jealous that I do not have many close friends, but am I willing to cultivate a friendship. I am jealous of someone elses health but am I willing to take my vitamins, eat less, exercise. It really comes down to taking that jealous thought captive to the Lord and transforming my mind Romans 12:1-2 Amplified Bible, I appeal to you therefore, brethen, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculities] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spirtual worship. Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. Father God, I praise you and thank you for grace and mercy. I ask that today, jealousy will not be something I have to ask you to forgive. When I am feeling inadequate or unlove or unappreciated may I turn to you for the comfort I need or the love that I need. Amen
I have been struggling with jealousy of a family member for a while and felt like God was speaking right to me through your post…I was just thinking about it right befor I read your post. I have been feeling so guilty for because I know that God does’nt want me to be jealous of others , but it seems to sneak up on me … I ask Him to forgive me and I know he does but I still struggle with it sometimes. Today When I was thinking about it I felt like God was telling me that the blessings that he gives my family member were made especially for her and that I did’nt have to be jealous because He has given and will comtinue to give me blessings that were made just for me from my Heavenly Father …now if I could just remember that!