Jealousy/Envy

Sometimes I feel like I struggle with this issue in life. There is absolutely nothing wrong with what I have. I have been blessed beyond measure: a wonderful husband who loves me unconditionally and works his tail off for our family, wonderful children, a nice home, two nice vehicles. Still, I'd like to have exotic vacations, granite countertops, custom-made drapes... but in the end, I wouldn't trade what I have for all the riches of the world. Besides, treasures here on earth are NOTHING in comparison to the treasures in Heaven! Sometimes it's great devotions like this that open my eyes to all that God has blessed me with & to be thankful for it every single day. Thankful that I'm not sleeping under a bridge, Thankful that my children have clean water to drink and we have food on the table, Thankful for great health. I could go on for days about the many, many blessings He has bestowed upon me. Thank You, Lord!

In Touch Daily Devotional by Dr. Charles Stanley
July 24, 2007 – Conquering Jealousy – Psalm 37:1-4
Envy can damage the life of a Christian. Jealousy over someone else’s good fortune can also harm a believer’s witness. These emotions often cause people to act out of hostility and bitterness. And the envious person suffers far more than his target.
We can rid ourselves of envy by first admitting it exists. Like greed, jealousy is an emotion we don’t like to admit we have. But the Lord already knows. We also must realize that feeling envious is the same as objecting to God’s blessing on someone else’s life. Regardless of how we try to rationalize these feelings, we’re in conflict with the Lord. A person cannot be jealous and right with the Lord at the same time.
Prayer is the surest way to strip away resentment. After we’ve confessed our jealousy to the Lord, we must begin praying for the other person. Our petition should contain two elements. First, an offering of thanksgiving for the blessings in his or her life. And, second, a request that God will place love for the individual in our heart.
At first, praying in this way will be difficult. But as love grows, you’ll find the words come more easily and joyfully.
Envy is inappropriate for followers of Christ since it distracts us from the Lord. We have a promise. If we delight in our heavenly Father, He will give us our heart’s desires. We need to refocus our attention upon Him and what He’s doing in our life.