Todays Devotional Tyndale House Publishers Monday November 18, 2013 A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones. Proverbs 14:30, NLT Envy is rotten. Think for a moment about something that is rotten. It is putrid, decomposing, and decaying matter. It stinks. It makes one gag. We take steps immediately either to get away from the decomposing item or to remove the source of the stench. The next time envy creeps into your heart and mind, may I suggest that you do the following to remove the rancidness of envy: Acknowledge envy as sin. The envious person is not just a victim; he or she bears responsibility. The failure to confess envy will only lead to more sin. Envy causes conflict with others; it travels with its cousin anger; it leads to depression; it manifests itself in gossiping; and it can even pull the trigger on murder. Resist comparing yourself to others. One way to bolster our own poor self-esteem is by finding fault with others. But when we compare ourselves with others two things happen, and both are destructive. One, when we compare our strength to another persons weakness we become proud. Two, when we compare our weakness to another persons strength we become envious. Either way we lose. Recognize Gods goodness. Be grateful for what we already have. A myth has circulated since the beginning of time: I must have more to be happy. This view simply is not true. Instead of focusing on what we dont have, we need to remind ourselves of what we do have, giving thanks for Gods graciousness in our lives. When we understand Gods goodness in our lives, comparisons are meaningless. Respond to others in love. When we love other people, we appreciate their strengths and their gifts. We acknowledge that God loves them like God loves us--no more, no less. And when we choose to love, envy is eradicated from our lives. Refocus on God. Only three things will last for eternity--God, his Word, and his people. Not houses or cars or jobs or vacations or clothes. When we look at people and their achievements and possessions, we need to look at the long haul, not the short term. When I focus on God, my neighbors achievements and advancements dont matter.
Posted on: Mon, 18 Nov 2013 22:39:56 +0000
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