TUESDAY Where do these feelings come from anyway? Sometimes they just seem to come out of nowhere! It’s important to realize though that these destructive attitudes can start out as little tiny thoughts that invade our minds. Instead of “stomping out” them out, we let them grow into flames that spread like wildfire, filling and consuming our hearts as well. Before we know it, we can become a person we never even wanted to be. Remember Joseph’s brothers in Genesis 37? Or Saul in I Samuel 18? Ask God to make you more aware of these destructive thoughts and attitudes and help you “stomp” them out before they have the opportunity to grow.
WEDNESDAY Although jealousy and envy are viewed as “normal” human emotions, it’s important to realize that they are in conflict with the heart of God and what He wants for His children. It’s easy to excuse them because they seem so common, but as Christians, we need to be willing to call them what they are — plain and simple, they are sin. And before we can have victory over any sin, we have to be willing to acknowledge it, to recognize before God that we are wrong and ask for His forgiveness. Do you need to confess the sin of jealousy or envy today? Follow David’s example in Psalm 32:5.
THURSDAY Feelings of jealousy and envy put up walls between us and other people — a family member, a friend, or even a complete stranger — the same people we’re supposed to care for and love in Jesus’ Name. Is there a particular person in your life who tends to stir up jealousy and envy in you? You don’t have to let these ugly feelings take over. Pray for that person and ask the Lord to help you love them instead. It might be hard at first, but you’ll find it almost impossible to envy someone you’re intentionally praying for and loving on! Read I Corinthians 13:4.
FRIDAY When jealousy and envy take over our minds and hearts, things are out of balance in all areas of our lives. That’s because these emotions put the focus on us and the things we want that we “can’t have,” instead of all the amazing gifts and blessings that we DO have. They rob of us our joy and they keep us from being all that God intended us to be. They waste the time and energy we could be spending on things that are worthwhile, things with an eternal focus — like loving the people God has placed around us and helping them to understand HIS love for them. Check out Paul’s words in Philippians 2:3-4. Will you ask God to love others through you today?
SATURDAY When we leave behind feelings of jealousy and envy we are free to focus on what matters most. Rather than wanting to be served, our focus will be on serving — serving God and serving others. Our minds and hearts will be filled with the things that please God (see Philippians 4:8) and gratitude, rather than negativity, will pour from our hearts (see Colossians 3:15). Will you choose to be thankful today?