Shutting Down The Green-eyed Monster

Shutting Down the Green-Eyed Monster

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.

Philippians 2:3

I was jealous. Although that doesn’t happen very often, when it does, I’m ashamed to admit it. Jealousy is not an attractive emotion, but every now and then it rears its ugly head in me.

It happened just the other day when Julie and I applied to speak at a local gathering of women. Confident we would be included in the group because we had been the year before, we were surprised when we got a reply politely declining our application.

I knew I shouldn’t be jealous of the women who had been accepted, but for a moment I couldn’t help myself. I looked through their biographies and credentials, wondering what made them better than us or more qualified to share. Was this a bit immature on my part? Yes, it was.

I finally shut down my computer and took my feelings in prayer to God. I realized that my jealousy stemmed from wondering if I measured up against others who were chosen when I was not.

God reminded me that my value comes from him, not from acceptance by other people. I was reminded of his love for me and how the plans he has for me are both good and different from the plans he has for other people. I was also reminded that I will never be happy if I’m doing things out of selfishness or a desire to impress others. I ended my time by praying for the women who would be sharing at the gathering, that God would bless their lives and their messages.

It’s easy to get consumed by jealousy when we focus too much on what those around us have instead of on what God has in store for each of us. Keeping a tally of what others have and being angry about what we don’t have is no way to live. When we place our focus on God, we begin to see the plan he has for us individually, and the need to measure up against others begins to dissipate.

—Kendra

— Today’s Act of Kindness —

When you find yourself being jealous of someone else’s talents, gifts, or things, remind yourself of what God has given to you, and then pray a prayer of blessing for the other person.