Thursday, November 10, 2022

Starving Jealousy

I wouldn't have considered myself a jealous person - until this week.  In Andy Stanley's book, Enemies of the  Heart, he claims that jealousy is at the root of every relational conflict.  Jealousy starts with a feeling of not getting what we deserve.  What we deserve is frequently shaped by what we see others have.  "If he acts like that, and has that, then why shouldn't I have that, or more?"  We are actually blaming God for not giving us what we deserve, which when you think about it, is ridiculous.  God gives us everything we have and everything we need.  And then he gave us his son to pay the debt for our sin.  

Jealousy leads to resentment, and resentment needs justification.  Andy offers a very practical response to fight jealousy - celebration.  We should look for every opportunity to celebrate the achievements of others.   And yes, we should do it even when we don't feel like it.  Celebrating other's achievements creates a state of mind where it is ok for others to win, and often win more than we win ourselves.  But in the end, the freedom created by the defeat of jealousy will be good for us all.  To the victor belongs the spoils.  

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