Terina (fiction
name) was very hard working. She was the kind of person who would get to work
before the rest of her workmates and set- up her work schedule. She would work
even extra hours and leave the office after her workmates. She wasn’t married;
hence her work was technically her ‘husband’. Jedidah (fiction name) was the
direct opposite of Terina, yet they were best of friends. Jedidah did not see
the need of coming to work early, after all, she was good at her work and it
didn’t matter how late she arrived because she would always do her part, after
all it was her father’s company.
But the sad part
to Terina was this; Jedidah earned more than her, she was married and blessed
with two beautiful children and as if not enough, her husband was a
multi-billionaire. These things never made sense to Terina. Despite her
hard-work, her boss never missed an opportunity to lash at her. She would spend
her lunch hours sobbing in great anguish.
Slowly by slowly
something happened to Terina. She began to despise her friendship with Jedidah
and even ganged up against her. Whenever they were together, Terina would call
her other friends and ignore Jedidah, or rather treat her with a lot of
contempt. This continued for a while until finally, Jedidah kissed their
friendship goodbye. She loved Terina, but couldn’t stay in a jeopardizing
friendship.
The question I
would like to ask at this point is; why would Terina feel this way? Did Jedidah
wrong her? Well we may not be able to answer fully but something was planted in
someone’s heart for sure. We can call it Jealousy
I came across a
blog that made me realize somehow the truth behind these emotions as explained
by Kayla Albert.
“Jealousy is a sneaky bugger—a pot-stirrer
who likes to aid the ego in pointing out flaws you’d rather just sweep under
the rug. It serves as a reminder of all the success you don’t have, the
experiences you haven’t had, the relationships you’d like to have—basically
everything that makes you feel “less than.”
The
truth is we need not compare ourselves with others.
“Why compare yourself with others? No one in the entire
world can do a better job of being you than you.” ~Unknown
Tai Goodwin, the Speaker, Coach and Brilliance catalyst has
this to say regarding jealousy
“Clearly, being a "hater" is not a good
thing. And how we handle other people's success, especially when things may not
be going so well for us, is an indicator of our maturity and belief in
ourselves.
So what do you do when you see
someone thriving with the opportunities, recognition, clients and wins all that you
want for your life or business? You learn to celebrate other people's success.
If you master generating genuine
happiness for other people, not only will you find a cure for the envy, which
can sabotage your success.
For us children of God, we need to
understand what the Word of God says concerning our lives. Many times jealousy
and envy find way in our hearts because we are emptied off the Word of God. A
scripture that most if not all of us can recite is Jeremiah 29:11
“For
I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to
prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (NIV)
Imagine this is how much our God
thinks of us. He is actually working something great for all us. Be encouraged
child of God. As a matter of fact, let this be a reason to celebrate the
blessings of others! Rejoice with them because the Lord Jehovah, who remembered
them, has not forgotten about you.
Listen again to what God says to you
and me in Isaiah 43:1-4.NIV (Put your name where Jacob or Israel is mentioned)
But
now, this is what the LORD says-- he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep
over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 3 For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. 4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in
exchange for your life.
So anytime when jealousy rises its ugly
ahead towards you, rebuke it and instead encourage yourself in the Word of God.
Make a deliberate choice to honestly celebrate the successes of others! Your
testimony is on the way! I wish you remembered who you are in the Lord Terina.
