September 24, 2025

“Fury is cruel, and anger a flood, but who can withstand jealousy?” – Proverbs 27:4

Jealousy is dangerous. The very first murder in the Bible is committed because of jealousy. As we read through the rest of Scripture (and as I am sure many of us have experienced in our own lives) we see jealousy tearing apart families, destroying friendships, and ruining marriages.  But jealousy is not always so bold and obvious. Many of us suffer from a jealous heart in ways we don’t even realize. Much of our depression is often based on jealousy. We see others’ wealth, talents, friendships, or intelligence, and experience sadness because we do not possess those things in the quantity or quality we think others do. This form of jealousy is just as dangerous, and maybe even more so, because it is hidden and not easy to detect. Sometimes it destroys us before we even know it is there.

The truth is, it is not our place to demand God treat us, gift us, or bless us in a certain way. How God deals with one and deals differently with another is completely in his hands, not ours. It is not the job of the clay to tell the potter what to do (Isaiah 29:16). This kind of life just leads to constant disappointment and depression. The enemy of jealousy is thankfulness. Take time every day – multiple times a day – to thank God for all his incredible blessings. When you focus on what God is doing in your life, and worry less about how he is blessing others, you will find a new and lasting joy in the goodness of your heavenly Father.

God, You are so good to us! Your blessings are beyond measure. In Jesus Christ alone, You have given us abundantly beyond all we could ever ask or imagine. Any blessing You heap on us in addition to Your beautiful salvation is surely an incredible gift we do not deserve.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Shane Cannon