Jealousy is an emotional poison
Few things are as dangerous as jealousy. It corrodes everything it touches.
Jealousy has been a problem since “Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him” (Genesis 4:8, NKJV).
Solomon said that “envy makes the bones rot” (Proverbs 14:30).
Countless lives have been destroyed by its poison. Joseph Kennedy said that “more men die of jealousy than of cancer.” It’s very serious and it must be faced and overcome.
Jealousy has a predictable face but an individualized backstory.
Erica Jong said that “jealousy is all the fun you think they had.” We know nothing of other people’s hearts and lives. Yet, jealousy ignores that detail.
It can find its way into all of our hearts like it did with King David (2 Samuel 11). Gary Allan said that, “You can be the moon and still be jealous of the stars.” No one is free from danger.
Jealousy emanates from a sinful heart and a mind that has lost its focus. It’s the “jaundice of the soul” (John Dryden).
“Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them” (Proverbs 24:1).
Jealousy deconstructs reality to suit our needs. We lose our grasp on reality and we see the world through a distorted lens. Then when we get what we desire, it’s not what we wanted.
We need to simplify things and replace the fleshly with the spiritual and develop healthier goals and perspectives.
If we desire heaven above all, this world loses its luster and its grasp on our hearts. Spiritual values are immune to jealousy and envy so learn and live them as soon as possible.