"JEALOUSY"

To Whom It May Concern,

This weeks message is one that none of us would like to be accused of nor personally experience in life. I would imagine that right now your mind is reaching back into your past as you're attempting to recall the times you were jealous.

The word Jealous is defined: 1: (a) intolerant of rivalry or unfaithfulness (b) disposed to suspect rivalry or unfaithfulness 2: hostile toward a rival or one believed to enjoy and advantage 3: vigilant in guarding a possession jealousy: a jealous disposition, attitude, or feeling.

Jealousy can lead to other sins, so it's vital that you comprehend the seriousness of this emotion. Do you believe that this feeling can bring a body to taking a life? Before you answer, " Not A Chance" check out the accounting of Joseph in the book of Genesis. As an adolescent, Joseph was overconfident with himself. His natural self-assurance, increased by being his father Jacob's favorite, as well as the youngest. Now, ten men his siblings all were willing to kill their youngest brother over an article of clothing (a tunic), and a few reported dreams. Their deep jealousy had grown into an uncontrollable rage, completely blinding them to what was right. You see when we're not in our right mind(s) Jealousy can be difficult to recognize because our reasons for it seem to make perfect sense
at the time. But left unchecked, jealousy grows quickly and leads to serious sins. Please take note, the longer you cultivate jealous feelings, the harder it is to uproot them. History proves that the ideal time to deal with jealousy is when you first notice yourself keeping score of what another has. Petty jealousy can tear families and neighbors apart. Christians often bicker while Satan is at work all around them. Rivalries, arguments, and disagreements among believers can be destructive in these
ways: (1) They make us self-centered rather than love-centered. Jesus totally understands how destructive arguments among brothers can be. (2) They hamper progress toward important goals. (3) They damage goodwill, trust, and peace - the foundations of good human relations. In Jesus' final prayer before being betrayed and arrested, Jesus asked God that his followers be " ONE" (John 17:21).

Listen, jealousy is a dividing force that is strong enough to tear apart the mightiest of nations or the closest of friends. How many friends and loved ones have been driven out of your life due to jealousy, it's time to be honest with yourself. Jealousy forces you separate yourself from what you were longing for in the first place. When you find yourself becoming jealous of others, try thanking God for their good fortune. Before you strike out in anger, consider what you could lose - a friend, a job, or even your spouse. When you lose something of great value, or if others conspire against you and succeed, anger is the first and most natural reaction. But you can control your feelings by (1) Recognizing your reaction for what it is, (2) praying for strength, and (3) asking God
for help to see the opportunities that even your bad situation may provide. We are called to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. Too often unfortunately, we are jealous of those who rejoice and apathetic toward those who weep. Believers are in the world together - there is no such thing as private or individualistic Christianity . We shouldn't stop with enjoying only our own relationship with God. We need to get involved in the lives of others.

Until Next Time...

Jim