Week 24
Jealousy
Surely resentment destroys the fool, and jealousy kills the simple.
Job 5:2
The Cambridge Dictionary defines jealousy as “A feeling of unhappiness or anger because someone has something or someone that you want.” If we are honest, we all get jealous. We get jealous of someone else’s big house, good look, new car, fun vacation, or successful kids, just to name a few. One thing I am often jealous of is other people’s families. I came to America 30 years ago all by myself. None of my family members were able to come here. I even sometimes feel angry when I see other families having fun together. It is not usually a good experience for me when Father’s Day and Mother’s Day are celebrated yearly in the church. Jealousy steals my joy and kills my soul. If you are like me, how do we deal with jealousy? Roy T. Bennett says, “Jealousy is when you count someone else’s blessings instead of your own.” To reclaim joy, we must learn to focus on and count our own blessings. I can’t say I am able to get rid of jealousy for good. But, I am noticing when jealousy shows up and I slay it by immediately making a list of things for which I am grateful. Then, my focus shifts from jealousy to gratitude.
Dear God, please turn my jealous heart into a grateful heart. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.