We are so prone to compare ourselves with others. The world tells us we should be better in our looks, our manners (well use to be), and what we own. The world tells us we need the best or the better upgrade. I see this with our cell phones. You need the 4G Iphone because it is faster and better than the 3G. I receive "upgrade" messages on my blackberry all the time. It tells me I need this because it is better.
Now, someone walks in the office with their new phone and I might say "I need to upgrade my phone," and then proceed to tell you why I need to upgrade (from the reasons the world told me). If I am not careful I can fall into the trap of being envious or jealous of others and their stuff, money, or looks.
God tells us to NOT be these things.
I was once told that "Envy is angry at what everyone else has that it doesn't have; jealousy is afraid that what it has will be taken away." When I reread this statement this morning, I was transported back to around 2009. I remember being among a group of women that were rejoicing at good things that had happen to a couple of the women there; I was miserable. I didn't want to clap or cheer for no one. I wanted to be the center of attention, the one that the light shined on. I wanted what they achieved and if I can't have it I don't want to cheer and I'm not going to! I was pouting, upset, and angry. Sound familiar? Envy and jealousy are incapable of rejoicing over another's success.
God tells us we are to to weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice (Romans 12:15; 1 Corinthians 12:26). It is time to replace these two yucky puckies with something better, "upgrade" if you will with something that is right and good, pleasing to the heart.
Before I continued writing, I had a talk with the Lord and I asked him why he was showing me this. The word "repent" is before me. I know there was a reason why I was reading over the love chapter. I was transported because I was holding onto jealousy and envy in a time of my life. I've asked the Lord to show me where there is any wickedness in me. I've caught myself comparing myself to others when I know I shouldn't. If I agree with the enemy to have envy or jealousy of others it is a sin. Envy is a sin. The Lord tells us we should not "covet anything that is your neighbors." I know that as I love others, offer forgiveness to myself and others, God is faithful and just to forgive me. Then God is able to use me far more than before.
If you recognize that you too compare yourself with others, become jealous or envious because of what others have, I encourage you to release it. I encourage you to renounce jealousy as a sin and ask Jesus to forgive you. Submit to the freedom you can have in Christ instead of the bondage of Satan.
Be free through love.
~Be Encouraged, you are not the only one that deals with this stuff.
Marjorie
