The Jealousy Disease

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We all may have a chuckle or two when we look at the photo above, but how often does jealousy rear its ugly head in our lives? Some emotions that come right along side jealousy would be, envy, bitterness, insecurity and fear. Yet I think that we could all agree that those emotions are not something that we would be jealous of! In this particular blog entry I am not referring to the type of jealousy that God has for his children. 2Corinthians 11:2 "I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy.", is more of a protective care, rather than referring to jealousy in a unhappiness sort of way. I am talking about the ugly, angry, dissatisfied sort of jealousy that breeds and thrives the more it gains a foothold in your life.

Have you ever realized when you become jealous over one thing in someone else's life, it rarely stops there? It seems that once those negative emotions are flowing in your mind, they seem to multiply and suddenly you find yourself contemplating, or shall I say complaining, over the oh so many things that are not right or are "missing" in your life. For example, Sally moves in next door, and wow isn't she a beauty! Suddenly jealousy overcomes you as you realize that she might have something that you wish you did. Not only do you notice her beauty, but her designer clothes, polished set of wheels, and look at the size of that ROCK on her finger!!! Jealousy has officially taken root, and lets watch it spread. It infiltrates your thoughts every time you see her outside, and not only her, but it sure seems like most women have it better than you. Whether it be in the looks, personality, or material possession department, they got it made and it sure seems like God left you in the dust! Not only does jealousy spread in your being, it leaches out and affects those around you. Your family hears your complaints, your friends notice your unhappy demeanor, and it holds you back from loving others as you should. Not only may others hear and see it in you, but now those thoughts have been placed in their mind for them to either dispel, or take root and grow. Now I can understand what the proverb meant in Proverbs 27:4"Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?". The incredible potential of power that jealousy can have in our lives is astounding.

This quote by Francois de la Rochefoucauld states it great, "In jealousy there is more of self-love, than love". When we are so self focused there truly is not much room for love. Jealous is in fact a dissatisfaction with what we have been given, and a greed over the blessing of another. Why should God not have blessed others with the gifts He has? Are the gifts that I have been given not good enough for me? As I write this I am saddened by how much energy and emotion I have wasted in desiring that which is not mine instead of cherishing that which I do have and blessing others with it. Not only that, but I should be thanking God for the many blessings that He has bestowed on others. So when jealousy rears its ugly head lets"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above ourselves." (Romans 12:10) and not allow selfishness to overcome that which is good in our lives.

On Jealousy by William Strode

There is a thing that nothing is,
A foolish wanton, sober wise;
It hath noe wings, noe eyes, noe eares,
And yet it flies, it sees, it heares;
It lives by losse, it feeds on smart,
It joyes in woe, it liveth not;
Yet evermore this hungry elfe
Doth feed on nothing but itselfe.