Envy and jealousy will kill a stupid fool. – Job 5:2
For me, it strikes most often at Target and the grocery store.
Baby-envy.
Wrestle with infertility for any amount of time and you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about.
I find that it comes in two forms. The first comes when I see women who I consider to be “unworthy” of motherhood:
The girl who can’t be older than 15 pushing a stroller with one hand and patting her pregnant belly with the other.
The mom who screams at her toddler to stop crying after she trips and falls.
The second form comes when I see someone who appears to have the life I want:
The gorgeous woman who calmly walks the store aisles, sipping Starbucks while her peaceful baby sleeps quietly.
The couple walking hand-in-hand down the baby aisle, aiming the gift registry guns at cute little outfits.
At best, it will put you in a terrible, pessimistic mood. At worst, it can destroy relationships and leave you with a wounded soul.
Whenever I sense these feelings of jealousy and envy swelling up inside me, I have to make a choice. I can give into them and ruminate on them, lamenting how terrible my situation is and throwing a major pity party.
Or, I can acknowledge my sadness surrounding my own circumstances, thank God for the lives of the families I encounter, and pray against being consumed by jealousy and envy.
Sometimes I can do this in a few seconds or minutes. Sometimes it takes much longer. But it won’t happen naturally. I must choose to fight my jealousy with prayer.
During your prayer time today, ask the Lord to help you resist the temptation to wallow in jealousy and envy.
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