Organizing the Inside – Day 211 Is Jealousy Interrupting the Flow of Success in Your Life?

April 1, 2012 at 2:00 pm · Filed under Encouragement, Love, Peace, Purpose, Relationship, Wisdom, Women's Ministry

6When the victorious Israelite army was returning home after David had killed the Philistine, women from all the towns of Israel came out to meet King Saul. They sang and danced for joy with tambourines and cymbals.7This was their song: “Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands!” 8This made Saul very angry. “What’s this?” he said. “They credit David with ten thousands and me with only thousands. Next they’ll be making him their king!” 9So from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.
1 Samuel 6-9 (NLT)

Do you have a jealous eye on someone else’s life?
Your progress can be blocked by jealousy. Saul is a true example of how jealousy will keep you from moving forward. Comparison breeds envy and possessiveness is the result of jealousy. When you worry about how others view you, what you have, or what you are doing, you lose your perspective. Everything we have been given belongs to God, whether its success and resources, or gifts and abilities, it all belongs to God. Being jealous preoccupies your mind, and your focus is no longer on pleasing God, it’s more on holding on to what you think, “is yours.” Saul felt he needed to destroy David in order to hold on to his kingdom. He “kept a jealous eye on David” given that he was worried about losing what he had. Saul remained uptight toward David and only brought trouble upon himself because he couldn’t rest. A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones. Proverbs 14:30 (NLT)

Focus on being a blessing and supporting others.
Saul could have chosen to be a blessing and celebrate David’s success; instead he turned toward jealousy, and this only brought about his own failure. Giving into the life, ministry, and success of others will not cause you to lose what you have. Don’t be distracted from your purpose by allowing jealousy to set in your heart. God is going to prosper others, but comparing yourself to them, or being worried that they may excel beyond you is foolish. Be happy when others succeed, and when they prosper because God is accelerating their success. The enemy is going to use the same old tired tricks he always has used; don’t be deceived. Curb every passion, and be on the alert. Your great accuser, the Devil, is going about like a roaring lion to see whom he can devour. 1 Peter 5:8 (WNT) The enemy is the accuser of the brethren, be aware, also read Revelations 12:10.

Living a simplified life is about being willing to invest in the lives of others, without worrying about how it is going to affect your own.

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud
1 Corinthians 13:4 (NLT)

You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.
1 Peter 1:22 (NLT)

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