Addressing Jealousy…. part three. Time for a change of Heart – One body that depends on the success of all its members

Hello beautiful people and welcome back to the blog. 

For those that are reading this live and direct, we are approaching the end of 2023 and this is a fitting word to not only wrap up this blog series, but also the year. A time to self-reflect and course correct for 2024. In this final blog we will be discussing the ways in which we overcome thoughts and feelings of jealousy. This is where we do the heart work.

If you have not read parts 1 and 2… go head and check them out. 

So, how can we overcome jealousy, falsely being happy when others are doing well/ taking up space or achieving their goals, and also confront comparison? Below are 5 points to do and/or reflect on when these things arise:

1. In the body of Christ we need each other to win

It is not you vs them. There is no competition in the Kingdom of God. We all have one mission here on Earth which is the commission, which is…. To go out and make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). In fact, when it comes to the body of Christ, 1 Corinthians 12:12-30 talks about this topic in a way that is beautiful. Paul writes that we need each other to do our respective function as part of the body, and that unity among us is important. If one of us is weak, we’re all weak and if one of us is honoured, we are all honoured. You win, I win. But most importantly, Jesus gets the glory in whatever field in which that person works (be it in law or the entertainment industry). 

But I hear you say “okay okay Dom, the person I’m envious of isn’t even a Christian”…. To that I would say… yet. Every person is God’s child and God has a plan for each and everyone one of us. Remember, the gifts of God are without repentance (Romans 11:29), you don’t need to accept God to operate in your gift. But, God has a way of using people – Daddy Yanke recently got saved, and but for his amazing music career over the last 20 years or so, he wouldn’t have the platform to be able to reach more people with the Gospel today. 

2. Pray for Peace

The thing that everybody wants but money can’t buy… peace. The more I go through adulthood, the more I get nervous about my future and what is (or isn’t) happening in my life. We think like this:

Am I going here or there, stay at this job or leave, leave him/her or stay, what is next in my life and how do I get there. Dang it… Sally has already made it, there is no space for me. Oh man, I wanted to start a brand doing that and the fact that they have is not a good sign.

I read a secular book recently that said when you feel the most in control of your life, you are at your happiest. I think this is true. But in the Kingdom of God we are called to live by faith, to not lean on our own understanding, and without knowing what is next, follow God.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

If you present your anxieties to God, He will give you a heavenly peace. Ask God for a focus and a peace about where you are, and where He is taking you. Allow Him to lead you, help you surrender and be obedient to His timing. Ask God to renew your mind and change your old ways of thinking. The peace of God will permit you to be unmoved and to hold your nerve when you see things happening for others that may not be happening for you because you trust wholeheartedly in God’s plan for your life. 

3. Good news, the promises of God are yes and Amen (2 Corinthians 1:20)

Okay so we are building here. Now the peace of God is keeping us and that will help us to trust God. But more specifically to what you are currently facing in your life, what are you trusting God for and what shall you put our faith in? 

The promises of God: 

• God promises to strengthen you – Ephesians 3:14-16
• God promises to give you rest – Matthew 11:28-30
• God promises to take care of your needs – Philippians 4:19
• God promises to answer our prayers (caveat – we might not always like the answer, God is not a genie in the bottle) – Matthew 7:7
• God promises that if you seek Him with your whole heart, you will find Him – Jeremiah 29:13
• God promises to be with you – Joshua 1:5,9
• God promises to protect you – Psalm 91:2
• God promises that nothing can separate you from Him – Romans 8:38-39

In the word of God, there are thousands of promises and also principles eg seek first the Kingdom of Heaven and everything else comes after (Matthew 6:33). Ask the Holy Spirit – what scriptures should I be standing on in this season? Remember, the word of God is alive and will minister to you. God is a good father and wants you to fully receive your inheritance as His child. But it is then incumbent on us to know what His promises are, and if there is a promise you need to draw down from Heaven, then all you need to do is ask.

4. Guard your heart

A person produces good things from a treasury of a good heart (Matthew 12:34-40). The mouth speaks what the heart is full of (Luke 6:45)

So the bible tells us then…. 

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23

Jealousy is a heart issue. Here are some ways you can guard your heart: 

• Take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5)… snatch it I said. When jealousy try creep in snatch it, and replace it with Imma rejoice with those who rejoice (Romans 12:15-18)
• Look ahead, fix your eyes on what is directly before you (Proverbs 4:25)
• Ask God for wisdom and understanding (Proverbs 4:5)
• Guard your eyes (Psalm 101:3) Not all that glitters is gold and is good for your soul
• Guard your ears (Proverbs 18:21) with how powerful the tongue is, you want to listen to people, music etc that align with the word of God.

5. Adopt a lifestyle of thanksgiving

As of right now, you are at least living in one answered prayer. Thank God regularly for keeping you and sustaining you in your today. Thank Him in the big and the small things… for taking you home from work, allowing you to get through your meetings, for your health, for your family. Wake up, thank you Lord. Make my coffee, thank you Lord. Got through a work out, thank you Lord. Missed the train, well thank you Lord there is another one in 5 minutes. God is good all the time. You might not be where you want to be today but thank God in advance for taking you there because God can and will blow your mind, if you continue to walk with Him.

Conclusion

To conclude, examine yourself (2 Corinthians 13:5), pray and ask God to create in you a clean heart and renew a right spirit within you (Psalm 51:10). Kingdom culture is about celebrating with one another, we have the ability to do this through the power of the Holy Spirit. We do not have to waste time entertaining jealousy, it does not affect the person you are jealous of, it affects you. You are called valuable and talented. You have a unique gift which is significant in the Kingdom – don’t give up. It might be seemingly happening for someone else, but that does not mean the value of your gift/calling is then diminished and it won’t happen for you. 

Consider that you are part of a bigger community and you need your brothers and sisters to fully and successfully operate in their gift, ask God to give you peace, lean on God’s promises, guard your heart and adopt an attitude of gratitude. Jealousy has no place in the Kingdom… so let’s get it gone. 

Thank you for following this blog series. Leave a comment and share with your peoples. 
Love,
Dom