Soul Food, My Walk With God

Jealousy is a dangerous thing. Here are a few things the Bible says about being jealous:

"Surely resentment destroys the fool, and jealousy kills the simple."
Job 5:2

"For jealousy makes a man furious, and he will not spare
when he takes revenge."
Proverbs 6:34

"For while there is jealousy and strife among you,
are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?"
1 Corinthians 3:3

"…idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."
Galatians 5:20-21

Why am I talking about this? I found myself in this VERY spot not long ago.

I had someone tell me thank you for something that I taught them over EIGHT years ago. I was like whoaaa I remember that. I had totally forgotten about it until they mentioned it.

See, jealousy has a way of making you OVERLOOK your OWN blessings.

I was sitting down thinking about it and my heart started feeling funny. I was like OH NO MAAM!! no you WON'T!!

Yep, I found myself being jealous. Guess what I did? I recognized it for what it was and I prayed and asked God to take that thing away.

He did just that.

See, before I knew anything about my part in this persons life, I was TRULY happy for them. Like seriously happy to see them succeed. I told him and his wife, I am just so proud of y'all. WHY? Because I truly was. I still am.

So it kinda caught me by suprise that I felt the way I did.

Once I knew I had a part in that I was like WHOOOAAA lol. My feelings started to change.

I did NOT like that one bit.

It amazes me that I can actually sit here and say that I was jealous. I've never been the jealous type. I'm one of those that are truly happy when people are doing well. When things are going great. I also love to encourage folks when things aren't going so great.

I'm glad I had that shortcoming. God is keeping me on my knees and I love it.

I say it ALL THE TIME. I'm not perfect, just striving daily to become the woman that God wants me to be.

Comments

[mzinspiredmind]

Beautiful!

[Carla]

You have no idea how much I needed these scriptures. I have been telling my husband that his mother is jealous of his relationship with me and he did not believe me until two nights ago. I will be posting these on the fridge.
At least you recognized and rectified the jealousy before it consumed you.

[Katrina]

As always.... I love your honesty! I needed to read those scriptures myself. The other day I had a fleeting thought/ feeling run through me as someone told me about their life. I didn't recognize it as jealousy b/c I'm not that type of person either. I love to see people doing well. And I tend to think of jealousy as being hateful of the person and what they have. But what I felt didn't feel right with me and I didn't recognize it as jealousy until I read your post. As I listened to this person talk I had a thought of, Wow, I wish I had (such & such) or Man, having that sure would be nice. Seems harmless enough but I'm thinking if you're not used to feeling this way it just doesn't sit right in your spirit to think it. I am constantly thanking God for what I have and try to be conscious about not wanting what someone else has because I know that everybody has their own 'issues'! But I am gonna stay in prayer on the feelings that I had. Thanks!!!!!

[TJ]

What an awesome post! My grass needs so much maintenance that I'm too tired to even look on the other side of the fence... most days...lol.

[Shari]

Wonderful Scriptures! I think we all struggle with jealousy at some point in our life's. When jealousy raises it's ugly head we have to catch it and take it captive and give it over to God. Thanks for being so honest and sharing.

[Victoria Baylor]

Great candidness and honesty! Your honesty will help others be honest with themselves. It's so easy to blame others for the way we feel but it's a wise person who looks inward as God does and examines their own heart. I think David said it best "Search my Heart oh God, know my thoughts and see if there be any wicked way in me....." Ps 139:23.

[Marcia]

Good to see the direction that you're taking with your blog. This is good and helpful information for many people. God bless you for your honesty and also your growth.

[Susan C]

Isn't it funny how thoughts can sneak up on you like that? I too have never been one to be jealous or envious of other people. I have many other shortcomings but this is not something that has come up for me. So why when I was sitting at a light today and letting another driver in, did I have this thought "gosh, how does he afford that car? I'll never have a car like that." Now here is the funny thing, it was a high end sedan type BMW that I would never buy. I probably could own a car like that if I wanted to make different choices with the income I've been blessed with. But the truth is, I hate spending money on cars and would never ever buy that car because cars are just not that important to me. I should have prayed about it right then. At least I recognized this odd feeling as envy and consciously changed my thought to "how nice he has that car. I hope he enjoys it." Weird times!

[majormusthaves]

I love this post. Beautiful!

[Elaray]

Thanks for this post. Everyday we have to be mindful!

[orchidophile]

"...jealousy has a way of making you OVERLOOK your OWN blessings."

Spot on! Thanks for this post.

[JustMoe]

I also love to encourage folks when things aren't going so great. <---- This is the truth you have help me and grounded me in a lot of ways. I want to say thank you again.

This post was on point.

[toy]

yes ma'am, I hear you on this one, wow, great post

[LadyLee]

I am thankful when I can catch myself in the middle of a feeling like jealousy and then be QUICK to pray about it and get God's help in making the proper correction. Can't let that type of emotion fester and take root!

[Tany]

Jealousy, hanger, rage, etc. are all anemies from the Soul. I'm glad you are finding your way and paying attention to your steps, Adrienne!

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