I looked at her wedding video with a smile on my face. Great for her! I thought. But I couldn't shake that nagging voice I wanted to ignore. Her life looks perfect...why can't I have that?
Jealous much?
Well...no. Yes? Maybe. In one of my many conversations with myself, (I'm not super weird, I promise!) I couldn't shake the notion that, that ugly seed of jealousy was growing.
Being off work means I honestly don't have much to do and a huge amount of my time involves me sitting at home creeping on Facebook. Ahhh, Facebook...why do Iove/hate you so much? Maybe it's just me but Facebook tends to be great tool to connect with friends and family, but it also seems to sometimes leave me feeling less than great about myself.
jeal·ous
ˈjeləs/
adjective: jealous
1.
feeling or showing envy of someone or their achievements and advantages
Jealousy. We've all been there. They have what we want. A seemingly great relationship, a stylish closet, a bank account that allows for travel, or a perfect job.
So if we all have feelings and God made feelings then we're in the clear to let our jealousy flourish. Right? Wrong.
Apostle Paul said it clearly, "For you are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other...Aren't you living like people of the world?" 1 Corinthians 3:3
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Christians, we cannot live like people of the world. Jesus said of his disciples, "They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world" John 17:16. What does this even mean? There should be a distinction between the people of God and the people of the world. We cannot do everything everyone else does because everyone is not trying to follow Jesus. This includes not letting jealousy take root.
God's guidelines are clear on the kind of love he wants his children to operate in: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-5. Being loving and envious is an oxymoron. We can't be a jealous, loving Christian. We can't say we love Christ and then not follow his word. It's like oil and water it just won't work.
So, this ugly "jealousy" feeling comes and goes for me sometimes. It usually comes when I'm on Facebook and feel like my life is not as spectacular compared to my social media friends. I usually "solve" this envying issue by cutting off my social media for a few weeks or months. So then, I'm all good, right? Eh...we'll sure until I find someone else's life who seems better than mines.
But, Jesus has been challenging me to look at the root.
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30
Jealousy makes you sick. Sick in your spirit. Sick in your body. Sick in your mind. Let any sin take over your thought life, and eventually it will consume you. Letting sin in slowly takes Jesus out. You choose. Is it just a little jealousy and no big deal? A little sin is like being a little pregnant. Eventually it will come out.
So, keep your joy and peace by asking God to redirect your thoughts to him and all the things he's doing in your life.
If everyone had the same story, life would be incredibly boring. Enjoy your movie of life and whatever season God has you in.
Remember, be thankful. God is always good even when life is not.
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18.
Peace & Love.
Courtney
