“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God…”
1 John 3:1 (ESV)
As we approach Thanksgiving Day in the United States of America, we can measure our Thanksgiving thermometer to see if we are hot or cold.
It is easy to give thanks when a blessing comes our way, but what do we do when the blessing is for others – a sibling, neighbour, friend, or colleague? Do you truly celebrate when someone gets a bigger house, car, promotion, more money, exotic vacation, or impregnated? Or when a newcomer gets selected for leadership on a project or even in a ministry you desired? Why does the thermometer go cold?
I dare to raise the spoiler alert! It is jealousy!
What is jealousy? It is a complex emotion that we often think of in terms of love and relationships, but ultimately manifests when we compare ourselves to others. It can involve feelings of envy, insecurity, resentment, or suspicion and is not good for our mental health.
What causes jealousy? It is triggered by various factors, including childhood experiences, parental relationships, and fear of abandonment. For example, a child may feel jealous if their parents spend more time with a sibling (s) rather than them. Do you recall that favourite son with his fancy coat and big dreams? (Genesis 37:3-5).
The openthebibile.org quotes, “Jealousy is a fruit of the flesh (Galatians 5:21), an antonym of love (1 Corinthians 13:4), a symptom of pride (1 Timothy 6:4), a catalyst for conflict (James 3:16), and a mark of unbelievers (Romans 1:29).”
So, how do we overcome jealousy? We must first examine ourselves as we consider the good tidings of others. And where evident:
- Recognise jealousy as deception – It seeks to vindicate our fleshly desire that we deserve something based on our ‘works’ and not grace (Ephesians 2:8–9).
- Repent from idolatry – It seeks to put satisfaction in material pieces and power that are not of God, ultimately saying that He is not sufficient for us. Repent.
Today, we must remember that jealousy is an antonym of love. We are to “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God” (1 John 3:1).
Be happy for your siblings in Christ the next time they are favoured and reset your Thanksgiving thermometer.
Read: Galatians 5:26; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 132; 1 Peter 2:4-25; Ezekiel 43; Ezekiel 44
