Green-eyed

Written by cycleguy on September 24th, 2012

“Green-eyed lady ocean lady…”  Oops wrong green-eye.  😛

A recent devotion in Our Daily Bread (click here for full devo) included a story that I thought was pretty good (and made me chuckle).

The story is told of two shopkeepers who were bitter rivals.  They spent each day keeping track of each other’s business.  If one got a customer, he would smile triumphantly at his rival.

One night an angel appeared to one of the shopkeepers in a dream and said, “I will give you anything you ask, but whatever you receive, your competitor will receive twice as much. What is your desire?”  The man frowned and then said, “Strike me blind in one eye.”

It made me chuckle, not because I thought it was funny.  It’s not.  Not one iota. It made me chuckle (maybe I ought to say “shake my head and roll my eyes”) because way too often it is true.  Life gets all twisted and warped when we are ruled by jealousy.  And have you ever noticed that we sometimes get our undies in a bunch over the stupidest things?  Someone does something we think we should get credit for.  Someone does something we think we can do better. Someone does something that we just KNOW we should have gotten the credit for!  Someone advances faster than we do and we feel this boiling inside us.

JEALOUSY KEEPS US FROM THINKING STRAIGHT.

JEALOUSY KEEPS US FROM ACTING STRAIGHT.

JEALOUSY KEEPS US FROM ENJOYING THE VICTORIES OF OTHERS.

JEALOUSY KEEPS US FROM AN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FATHER.

I can say without a doubt, without any hesitation, that pastors are not immune to this ugliness.  My life was consumed “hiddenly” by jealousy.  Contentment didn’t come easily to me.  But eventually I realized life is far too short to ruin it by jealousy.

Am I totally free?  That is a Catch-22!  If I say “yes” then I open myself up for an onslaught from the enemy.  If I say “no” then I admit my weaknesses.  Reckon I will have to say “no.”  🙂  I have learned to be more content, but occasionally there is that twinge that hits.

How about you?  Do you struggle much with jealousy?  How are you handling it?  Is it ruling ruining your life?

A side issue: drop on over to my friend, Michael Perkins’ new site and check it out.  You’ll be glad you did.

 

34 Comments so far ↓

  1. Daniel says:

    Finally a post that has no relevance for me! Oh crap, it does. I will keep working at improving in this area. I am getting better, but have such a long way to go. P.S. I read this ODB too.

  2. Jason says:

    I struggle with it even though I don’t want to admit it. I’ve driven a lot of unconscious decisions.

  3. Steve Martin says:

    I struggle with this. Mostly with people for whom I ‘think’ things are going so well…I am jealous.

    I know that it’s not really true and that the grass is always greener… .

    But, I know that I am in bondage to sin and cannot free myself. No biblical principles or self-help gurus are going to end it.

    I actually need a Savior. These foes are much bigger than anything I can muster up!

  4. lindaM says:

    Hi Bill,
    This story from ODB is pretty bad. I think of all the blessing this storekeeper could have had but his jealousy forbade it. Instead, both he and his adversary are blinded and maimed by his request. What a sad state.

    I very seldom deal with jealousy. If it comes along I rebuke it soundly in the name of Jesus and begin to praise and thank the Lord for his goodness toward me. This usually takes care of jealousy etc pronto.

    I think that I experienced God in some way when I was in grade 3 or 4. This experience was a blessing in my life, and I remember being conscious and aware to enjoy someone else’s wins and victories. This has stayed with me all these years later.

    Talk to you later.

  5. Thank you for the mention Bill.

    Jealousy…I used to a lot. Now, it rarely shows up, but when it does I’ll catch myself saying, “Why them?”

  6. Jealousy is not a major issue for me (right now). That all could change very quickly.

  7. I don’t think I struggle with jealousy.

  8. floyd says:

    That story smacks of our society now. People are willing to live with less of everything, from material things to spiritual things – as long as someone doesn’t have more than them.

    The point you made about being able to rejoice for others victories is something that isn’t talked of much. To have that mindset to be able to celebrate on behalf of others says so much about where a person is in their life, not to mention true joy is found in selflessness.

  9. “JEALOUSY KEEPS US FROM ENJOYING THE VICTORIES OF OTHERS.” Wow! Love that you brought that out. I think our social media culture (not inherently bad) has played a part in us forgetting to rejoice in the victory of others. Is it about ME? Am I tagged in it? Will I get props for it? No? Then I’m uninterested. …Jealousy stinks.

    • cycleguy says:

      I am somewhat in the dark on the whole social media thing Stephen since I don’t Tweet or FB. But I do know people have a hard time rejoicing for others’ good fortune/blessings.

  10. Desert Jim says:

    I’m jealous of Michael Perkins right now!

    Is that wrong?

  11. We all get those opportunities toward jealousy I think. Like Cain, in those moments we find sin is crouching at the door and we have to make a choice. The more we know who He is and who He made us to be, the more we can rejoice in others’ successes and be there for them in their missteps and failures. Great reminder, Bill. Thanks.

    • cycleguy says:

      You are right jason. We all face that monster and have to choose. We can choose to rejoice or stand with them when needed. Good thought. Thanks.

  12. Zee says:

    Yeah, the beast decided to make an appearance in my life recently. I guess mostly it was because of the stuff at work, but that ain’t an excuse for it. It’s hard battling it sometimes when you know you deserve more… and then you wonder – do you really deserve more or there is already so much to be thankful for.

    Thanks for the food for thought – and for the prayers 🙂

  13. Michael says:

    Grrr, I am so jealous that you write better blogs than I do! haha!
    Of course I have struggled with jealousy for as long as I can remember. Thankfully as I’ve aged & continue to grow in Christ, I am learning that jealousy is a robber. I don’t think I’ve ever really been jealous of other’s successes, mostly it’s being jealous of loved ones spending time together & I’m not getting the time I think I deserve. :0 Still a work in progress for sure. Very good post Bill, a good reminder of where my focus needs to be.

  14. Jan says:

    Well, that comment was not from my hubby, it’s from ME 🙂

    • cycleguy says:

      Nothing to be jealous of Jan. 🙂 We write different kinds and you do well in what you do. Which by the way…. One thing you say is so true: jealousy is a robber.

  15. Larry Hughes says:

    Jealousy. I don’t think I struggle with it in my emotions over the last few years. Most of the time I rejoice with others successes or achievements. You see I have more than I could ever hope for by just reveling in God’s grace and love even though I don’t really deserve it.

    Yep, I am a big time sinner but I ask for forgiveness and he always is there to forgive and pick me up and lead me in the right direction.

    I am also still in the wilderness waiting for his direction. Perhaps I just am not hearing him clearly yet.

  16. Ed says:

    I used to be so jealous of certain people, especially couples. And the bad part is that they were/are my friends. I don’t know how exactly to handle it, but often it does seem to push me away from those I really want to be around.

    • cycleguy says:

      I know that yearning for someone is common for many single people and not getting jealous is a tough pill. Don’t have an answer for you Ed. wish i did.

  17. Dan Black says:

    What a great story! A sad but true one.

    One of the dangers of jealousy is that it does not just end with it but leads down a dangers path full of other bad things. I know I struggle in this area and rely on God’s grace to break me free from it.

    Great post!