Some people will tell you jealousy is a normal part of life, but it doesn't have to be. In these days of social media where we see so much of people's highlight reels, it can seem as if being jealous or indulging in envy has to be an inevitable.
It does not.
I recorded this podcast episode earlier this week, but am just now writing the post. I am glad it's unfolding that way, because in the few days between, God has shown me so much about jealousy that can help release you from its grips.
Jealousy can only survive in an environment where someone is not fully bathing in their purpose of God's plan for them. The deeper you let yourself sink in to, plant yourself, cover yourself with the purposes God has for you, the more you make yourself completely unavailable to jealousy.
Jealousy comes out of a place of an uninhabited destiny or calling.
When King David saw Bathsheba on that roof, it made no sense that he should covet her so badly. He had access to many women. Taking her was risky. It compromised his integrity, his reputation amongst his people and the men in his army.
In the time King David saw Bathsheba, he was not even supposed to be home. The nation was at war, but the warrior King sat out the battle. He was out of alignment and susceptible to temptation.
"It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle..." is how the story begins moments before David arose one night and walked out on his room to see Bathsheba bathing.
In a time when kings go out to fight, David was home. The temptation to have what is not yours most often arises when you are offf assignment.
When you are doing the things God has called you to do with all your heart, soul, and strength and being the person God has called you to be, when you have completely given yourself over to those things and are basking in the peace and purpose that comes with doing it well, you will not look at what others have with covetous eyes.
You'll root for others. You'll be happy for others. You'll want to help others.
Human beings only have the capacity to water one garden at a time. It takes all of our attention and love to keep the plants and flowers in our gardens tended, weeds out, and soil watered. When you are doing this, reaping the rewards, and enjoying the communion with God that is the number one benefit of abiding in Him through Christ Jesus, your neighbor will be of no interest other than to bless him or her.
You can admire what your neighbor has rather than be jealous of it, when you have committed yourself to doing the best with what God has given you. Dive deeper. Tend to your beautiful garden and go a step furthur, help those with fewer flowers than you have.
Jealousy can have no place in your life. I promise you this.
In this podcast episode, I share where jealousy is coming from and go into detail on how to end this spirit's influence over your life today. You can do it with God.
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