Saying No to the Green-Eyed Monster!!!

Just thought it would be a good thing to share, you know yesterday’s devotion was about obedience right? I felt that God’s using the same point to drill into me today through leader’s meeting! You should have heard the testimonies being shared today! Their faith was the greatest thing impressed upon my heart, that they chose not to seek their own paths or plans, regardless of how attractive the offer was, but rather, they chose to obey. It wasn’t easy for them to obey too, but as they obeyed, they found favour and more blessings they flowed from it! Indeed, our God’s ways are way higher than ours! Amen!

Okay… let’s go back to today’s passage. =)
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1 Samuel 18:5-16

As I read this passage, my 1st thought was initially filled with disgust at Saul’s attitude. Then I asked myself, Hey, who am I to judge? Am I not guilty of such attitudes or behaviours at times too?

Especially for us women, I too cant help but seem to take notice of people around me, scrutinising their looks, career, wealth, figure, possessions, salary, etc…. and don’t we always just wish we had half of that?! (sounds familiar right? =) )We often attribute jealousy as a woman’s second nature, but honestly, jealousy is really something that can consume anybody who allows the green-eyed monster to grow in them.

King Saul’s jealousy actually caused him to distrust David, the same young warrior who had served him by defeating Goliath! David loved the king and risked his life to help the kingdom, but still, Saul’s judgement was so clouded by all that envy, suspicions, bitterness and hostility that he became irrational in his thinking and behaviour. Consequently, Saul went into a rant and hurled a spear at the young man (1 Samuel 18:11), and later, even removed David from his presence, sending his loyal servant to the battlefield. So David’s faithful service was “rewarded” with the king’s hatred, a severed relationship, and death threats, and was forced to flee in the end.

Our minds are also like Saul’s at times, in which we will tend to dwell on a person or situation we envy. Fuelled by all that jealousy within us, our suspicion, confusion, bitterness, and hostility will grow stronger if we continue to feed on it each time. Fear and resentment too, completes the picture of jealousy. Sometimes, we’re afraid that we’ll fail to achieve the wealth, career status, or privileges of someone else. We may even resent that person’s accomplishments or become nasty to that person. In time, we may look for reasons to avoid being around that individual, eventually choosing to break off the relationship entirely, and who knows what next? When one is overcome by jealousy, his/her thoughts have already become irrational that anything can happen!!! Scary isn’t it?

Have you realised, this jealousy monster is not an excuse for us women to possess! If our hearts are left unchecked, the monster will grow in us and influence our attitudes, conversations, and actions. Eventually, it will even do damage to the relationships we have and even inflict great pain on others.

I had to do some serious soul-searching myself and ask the Lord to examine my heart. “Dying” to my self and surrendering that green-eyed monster to the Lord is a difficult and constant battle, but the Lord reminds us that as we surrender, He will honour our prayers and replace our spirit of jealousy with one of love and thankfulness.

Lord, please teach me to keep my eyes upon you, and keep my heart filled with contentment and thanksgiving for all the things You’ve blessed me with!