Right, Left, or Straight Ahead?
“Sara got an A on her essay; I never get better than a B.”
“Mama took Sissy to get ice cream after her dentist appointment; she took me to the fabric store and I had to wait while she shopped for a whole hour!”
“Dave took Janie to England for their honeymoon; we went to the Smoky Mountains.”
“Teresa’s husband gave her an amethyst ring when she gave birth to their child; mine gave me a bouquet out of the clearance bin at the grocery store.”
“Emily’s daughter’s crocheted afghan won a blue ribbon; my daughter’s house shoes didn’t even place.” “Charlotte’s son got a speaking part in the play; my son has to be in the chorus–again!” “Sofia’s daughter made 32 on the ACT; my daughter just made 22.” “Grace already has ten grandchildren; I’m still waiting for my children to get married.” If we’re not careful, we can spend our whole lives looking around and being envious. It’s an old problem for us girls. Just look back to Genesis 30:1: “Now when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she became jealous of her sister; and she said to Jacob, ‘Give me children, or else I die.'” Rachel was envious of her sister and wanted her husband Jacob to fix it! Ever want your husband to fix something he is powerless to fix even if he tried? When we look straight ahead and think about what God has done for us, we know we are blessed. It’s when we look right and left at what He is doing in the lives of others that we are tempted to envy.
Let us not become boastful,
challenging one another,
envying one another.
Galatians 5:26, NASB
Great post, Charlene! It’s so easy for us to be tempted into envying others, isn’t it? In addition to focusing on the very special blessings God has given me, I also try to remember that no one’s situation is as rosy as it may seem from the outside. Each of us has both gifts AND burdens, no one is exempt from either. Looking straight ahead and straight UP to my Heavenly Father is a sure-fire cure for envy every time. 🙂