Reminders: Beware of Jealousy

Reminders: Beware of Jealousy

by Ardith Hoff

In February of 2014, a man in China had a nasty breakup with his girlfriend before Valentine's Day.  The jealous man bought all of the odd numbered seats in a local theater for February 14th so that couples couldn't sit together during the movie.  Those last five letters of jealousy are there for a reason.  Reader's Digest, September 2014, p.10

The above is an example of someone reacting in a petulant way because of his resentment about losing his girlfriend just before Valentine’s Day.  Feelings of jealousy can range from a momentary twinge of pain to serious depression (jealousy turned inward) or acts of retaliation (jealousy turned outward).  When someone gets something we had hoped for, but did not get, it is understandable that we would feel dejected. 

Even if we would like to be happy for the person who got the praise, prize, or promotion, it can be hard to accept, but we know that we must get beyond our hurt feelings and move on in positive ways.  As we are told in James 3:16 “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.”  We can conquer selfish ambition and the jealousy that follows, when we don’t get our way, if we are open to what God wants for us.  

It’s when we go our own way without consulting God or trusting Him, that He brings us up short, and shows us a different path––one we might never have thought of if not for the disappointment we suffered.  James 4:2-3 puts it this way: “You desire but do not have...You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight.  You do not have because you do not ask God.  When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” 

When disappointment turns to rage, we have let our emotions get the better of us.  Let us remember to pray that God’s will be done, and then trust that He knows best. “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18   If you look for it, you will find a blessing in every disappointment.