Jealous
This is not a descriptive term that is used in positive circumstances. It is a word that carries some other baggage with it. For example, the word jealous is usually accompanied by resentment toward another person. Envious is probably a “sibling” of Jealous. They both connect over something or someone else who has something they want or they’re suspicious of the success of another. Jealousy and envy are very destructive to relationships.
David has just defeated the giant, Goliath. David’s rise to popularity among the people of Israel was immediate. He was known for his bravery. It was also noticed that the Lord was with him. Check this out…
5 Whatever Saul asked David to do, David did it successfully. So Saul made him a commander over the men of war, an appointment that was welcomed by the people and Saul’s officers alike.
6 When the victorious Israelite army was returning home after David had killed the Philistine, women from all the towns of Israel came out to meet King Saul. They sang and danced for joy with tambourines and cymbals. 7 This was their song:
“Saul has killed his thousands,
and David his ten thousands!”
8 This made Saul very angry. “What’s this?” he said. “They credit David with ten thousands and me with only thousands. Next they’ll be making him their king!” 9 So from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David. (1 Samuel 18:5-9 NLT)
I think jealous is an internal emotion that has to be watched carefully. I can easily become jealous if I just look at others and comparatively look at what they have or what they have done compared to me. It can become self-destructive. If I spend all my time looking at what others have or have done, I am immobilized and distracted from what my calling is or what I can do.
Jealousy can’t co-exist with gratitude.
Jealousy dilutes and destroys love.
Jealousy is also an enemy of joy.
Jealousy needs to be removed from my heart.
Jealousy is a dead-end emotion.
The Lord has helped me with jealousy over the years. I have learned that I will always find someone who is “more” and has more than me. I will always find people who are more talented, successful and popular. I’ve learned that joy can’t be found as long as jealousy has a home in my heart. I find contentment in being the person God called me to be. He wired me to love Him and honor Him. When I’m on mission to bring glory to God, jealousy is removed from my heart. This is easier to say than to do. I’ve been working on this for years and I’m thankful that the Lord has become all that I want and all that I need.
Pressing On!
Dwayne