Do you ever get jealous of other people? Comedians The Smother Brothers always made people laugh when one said to the other, “Mom always liked you best.”
Many of us can relate. We are not as smart as our sister or as successful as our brother. We aren’t as talented, confident, handsome. Whatever it is we think they have, we want it.
The Bible doesn’t pull punches. It doesn’t portray Jacob, the father of the tribes of Israel, as a holy man who never had any flaws. A twin, he emerged from the womb grabbing hold of his brother’s ankle as if to say, “No, me first.” (Genesis 25:24-26). As an adult, he stole his brother’s birthright. Yet, God took him, faults and all, and molded him into a faithful man with patience and wisdom.
Even Jesus’ disciples were prone to be jealous of each other.
In Luke 9 Jesus sent them out with the power to heal and preach. When they come back, they begin to compare who was the greatest. Yet later, after Jesus sent his Spirit, they suddenly worked together as a team for the good of all believers (Acts 2:42-46).
What changed?
Like Jacob, God through his Holy Spirit molded them into men who saw their worth in his eyes. Each had something God planned for them to do. Perhaps if we saw our siblings, both natural and spiritual, in the same way, the green tinge of envy would evaporate from our hearts.
Father, forgive me when I begin to compare my talents to that of others. Do not let envy slip into my heart. Show me your purpose for my life, and let me allow you, by your Holy Spirit, to mold me into the servant of the gospel you want me to be. Through your Son I pray this, amen.”
Today's Challenge: Are you harboring any jealousy in your heart for someone? Ask God to work it out of you. Consider how good God has been to you in your own life, all the gifts and blessings he's given to you. Ask him to replace your jealousy with love for the other person and contentment with who you are.
Photo Credit: Chutter Snap on Unsplash