Jealousy

This can be a troubling feeling. It is often viewed as a negative feeling. There are three possible meanings:

1   feeling or showing envy of someone or their achievements and advantages.

2   feeling or showing suspicion of someone’s unfaithfulness in a relationship.

3.  fiercely protective or vigilant of one’s rights or possessions.

I must confess that I have had some jealousy inside of me at times. I do believe that jealousy can be very destructive if left unchecked. I am jealous for time with my kids even as I see them grow older and choose to spend their time elsewhere. I’ve learned to not be jealous of others success, but to celebrate with them. If I become jealous or envious of others, my life will be most miserable. I try to stay busy becoming who the Lord is calling me to be and worry less about what others are doing.

I read a passage in 1 Samuel and King Saul is now in a bad place. David has just taken down the “big blow hard”, Goliath and it didn’t go unnoticed by the people. Saul gives David a position in the army and his success keeps growing. Check this out…

12 Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with David but had departed from Saul.

28 When Saul realized that the Lord was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, 29 Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy for the rest of his days.

30 The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known. (1 Samuel 18:12, 28-30 NIV)

I really want to stay in the place where the Lord dwells. I don’t want jealousy to creep in and steal my joy. I want to walk with the Lord in a way that His Presence is with me and all over my life. I don’t want to act outside of His will and His plan for my life. I’ve come across other people who seem to think they know God’s plan for my life, but He as affirmed and directed me clearly to where I am today.

It’s a bit unsettling to see and notice when others are jealous of my success or something good happening in my life. (I have been there and done that for sure.) It’s also super encouraging when others notice my success and celebrate with me! (I am learning to celebrate the success of others too!) I want to keep studying the Word of God to grow in wisdom and insight. I want to keep seeking God’s Will for me in my life. I don’t want to be derailed or disturbed by what others are saying about me, I want to keep cultivating the Lord’s Presence in my heart and my life. The Lord is the Source of Successes or the Teacher during my failures.

Pressing On!

Dwayne