Slaying the Green-eyed Monster

I am on an extended, very full trip and am not finding time to write the post I want to do.  So I am sharing a post from my good friend Barbara Francis.  Be blessed. 

I’ve struggled with envy for as long as I can remember. I envied Wendy Petersmeyer’s flawless long hair in the fourth grade. I was jealous when everybody but me was invited to the end-of-the-year swim party at Betsy Martin’s house when I was finishing the sixth grade.

 That was child’s play compared to how it has played out in my adult years. I have desired the spiritual gifts and talents others possess which I do not. I have envied other women’s long legs and been jealous of friends’ wealth. When I am in such a state I certainly cannot “rejoice with those who rejoice” and “mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15). Instead, I’m thinking these talented, beautiful, rich ones have had it too good for too long! How ugly is that? Envy has all sorts of cousins, too: gossip, evil speaking, coveting, and condemning others in our hearts. It wreaks havoc in families, Bible study groups, churches, and staff teams. Frankly, I cannot think of one positive outcome of envy. Below are 15 biblical texts on the varying forms of envy. Look at one or two a day, asking God, the Holy Spirit, to convict you where necessary. And don’t forget to thank him for the ways he has healed you of this vile condition. I will never get over the all-encompassing grace of God, will you?  Day 1: Psalm 37:1 Day 2: Psalm 73:3Day 3: Proverbs 24:1Day 4: Matthew 20:15 Day 5: Proverbs 3:31 Day 6: Proverbs 23:17 Day 7: Matthew 27:18 or Mark 15:10 Day 8: Mark 7:21-22 Day 9: Exodus 20:17 or Deuteronomy 7:25 or James 4:2 Day 10: Romans 1:28-32 Day 11: 1 Peter 2:1-3 Day 12: Galatians 5:19-21 Day 13: Galatians 5:26 Day 14: Psalm 106:16Day 15: Proverbs 24:19 To read more by Barbara, click on Grace and Guts in my blogroll.