JEALOSY ROTS
Proverbs
14:30: “A heart at peace gives life to
the body, but envy rots the bones.” King Solomon and other wise men wrote the
book of Proverbs
We just learned the perfect weapon
to defeat the Devil’s efforts at tempting God’s kids to sin in Refocus devotion. All we have to do is think of something
different from the temptation. Refocusing
our attention on another topic is easier than changing our minds.
Changing our minds on purpose is
what this devotion is about.
We rarely choose how to react. Emotions spring up knee-jerk reactions to
what we see or hear in a heartbeat. All
it takes is seeing a new car, new clothes, or someone having awesome talent to
spark a fire of jealousy. But the
opening Scripture warns against jealousy.
Check out twelve hear old Cassie,
who feels robbed: “Why can’t I try out to play the part of queen?” she asked
Ms. Folkum.
“Because Cheryl has already won that
part,” was the reply.
“I was absent that day. I have those lines memorized now. Please let me try out for the part,” Cassie
insisted.
“I’m sorry, Cassie. Maybe you could try out for the evil sister
part?”
Cassie sighed. She thought, I really wanted the queen part!
But I suppose that playing the part of evil sister is better than no
part at all! So Cassie changed her
mind. “Okay, Ms. Folkum, I’ll try out
for the evil sister part.”
The literal translation of “a heart
at peace” in the opening Scripture is a “healing heart.” A healing heart is a soft heart. That person is accepting, forgiving, and is
kind and generous. Anyone who knows
Cassie—whoever has followed her from fifth grade to seventh—knows that she is
kind and generous.
Whoever
came up with the expression “eat your heart out” describing a jealous person is
spot-on! King Solomon’s “envy rots the
bones” pretty much warns that jealousy eats people from the inside out.
Jealous
people only ruin themselves. Yet,
content and generous people bring peace and healing to themselves and
others. Soft-hearted people are
naturally positive and peaceful. Their
bodies function properly. No rot
there—only the spread of peace and health to those around them.
But
Cassie had to change her mind.
Take
Home Nugget
Being jealous is hard
to admit. Then we’re embarrassed because
that means we don’t think we’re as good as someone else. But God never compares one person to
another. We stand on our own and judged
against no one.
So let’s simply be and do our best.
Holy Father, Help me develop a soft heart
that brings life and happiness not only to me, but to everyone around me. I’m praying this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
J.D. Griffith
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