Jealousy As Inspiration

The more I think about it, the more that I think that jealousy isn't necessarily a bad thing. Maybe it's just an emotion we all feel. The key is what you do with it. I think God wants to use jealousy within us to push us to excel. If we're jealous of someone else's success, then we need to work harder to achieve it. If we're jealous of someone else's marriage, then we need to work harder on our own. Jealousy can be extremely powerful, use it wisely. JM

Acts 5:12-17

It's tough when there's a new kid in town. When I was in 3rd grade I was the smartest kid in class. Everybody knew it. I was the smart one. I would finish my work first. I did the best in our math games. I knew all the answers. Then April showed up (I can't remember her name, but April will do). April was smart, too. April became the smart girl. I could still take her in smartness, but I had to share my glory. My smartness wasn't quite as amazing because well, April was smart, too. Luckily at then end of the semester she moved to Oklahoma City. I was glad.
The problem with this is that the focus the whole time was on me. Granted, I was 8, but I wanted all of the attention. We never grow out of that. We like to be recognized. To have people appreciate us. That's all well and good, but we get addicted to it. We like that everyone laughs at our jokes. We like that people think we're an engaging speaker. We like that people tell us they like to hear us sing or play guitar. Then rather than doing something to glorify God, it turns into doing something that brings us glory. And God sighs at how pathetic we are. We're just like the kid who thinks he's so smart because he can multiply faster than 20 other kids. JM

Acts 1:12-14

Jealousy can be tough. A lot of people can never overcome it. Jesus family did, though. Earlier in Jesus ministry they tried to come to get him and take him home because they thought he was crazy, or lying, or something. But now they must have realized that He was who He said He was. It's just tough to take sometimes because we knew them growing up. We know all about them. They seem more human to us than anybody else because we know them. So when they start doing great stuff, we have more trouble accepting it.
Taking that even further, the closer we are to somebody the easier it is to not fully appreciate them. If someone I work with everyday accomplishes amazing things, I get used to it and forget just how amazing it is. What if we continually thanked and appreciated people for the things they do everyday from the mundane to the remarkable? I bet people could accomplish more with all of that encouragement. Just a thought. JM

Matthew 12:9-14

I love the Pharisees. They're so much like me. When they are not getting the glory they get all jealous and mad and stuff. I wouldn't go so far as wanting to kill somebody, but I can really feel where they are coming from.
The problem is that it's sin. I love seeing others succeed when I'm succeeding. It's when I'm frustrated that I really don't want to hear about other's successes. Maybe one day I'll grow up and repent. JM