The danger of having a jealous heart

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.  Romans 12:15

The famous novelist and playwright Samuel Beckett received great recognition for his work—but not from everyone. Beckett’s marriage was plagued by his wife’s jealousy of his growing fame and success.

So one day in 1969, Samuel heard her answer the phone, listen for a moment, and hang up. She turned to her husband and with a disappointed tone whispered, “What a catastrophe.” She had just learned that Beckett had been awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature!

Jealousy comes in different forms—good and bad. There is the good, kind jealousy that we see in Exodus 20:5 where God tells the Israelites to have no other God except for Him. This is not a jealousy birthed out of insecurity. God was not jealous of other gods… He is jealous for the hearts of His people.

On the other hand, there’s the bad kind of jealousy, a jealousy that is rooted in sin and shame and wishes failure on others instead of success. This is the kind of jealousy that, as Christians, we’re to avoid. In fact, as we see others who are successful in life and who God blesses abundantly, were’ to rejoice with them in those blessings!

Don’t allow jealousy to embitter you. Instead, rejoice with those whom God blesses and in due time, He’ll bless you, too!

Prayer Challenge

Ask God to help you encourage others who are experiencing His blessings and rejoice with them. When you’re blessed, they’ll rejoice with you as well!