ANYBODY ELSE GET JEALOUS when others get something that you didn’t? Or when others pay attention to another and not you? Or how about when there was a party or an outing posted on social media and you did not get an invite? Here’s a good one: when you have been praying for a healing for years and faithfully believing God and someone comes in off the streets and receives their healing immediately? Then, when those feelings and thoughts of jealousy flood the mind, guilt comes to top it off for feeling envious? Or maybe that’s just me. Welcome to my mind.
“A calm and undisturbed mind and heart are the life and health of the body, but envy, jealousy, and wrath are like rottenness of the bones.” Proverbs 14:30
Here’s where the battle kicks in. A peaceful mind is only attainable when you take every thought captive. I don’t want to be jealous or envious or angry at anyone, especially not my beloved Savior; I don’t like when I have those thoughts. For the record, I do not ever blame God.
I have trained myself to never direct those thoughts towards Him. But I have had destructive thoughts towards others, and then I become angry and frustrated with myself for having those nasty thoughts and to top it off, guilt rushes in to destroy a healthy foundation. My heart is truly happy for others, but there’s a battle raging in my mind. Perhaps it stems from thoughts of my childhood and drags up past and hurtful memories. Memories of being abandoned and forgotten, of going hungry and wearing old and used clothing. Or maybe it’s the enemy placing those thoughts in my mind, seeking hard to devour and cause me to stumble. Either way- take every thought captive. The battle is real.
Line up those thoughts with Scripture. What good is it to dwell on destructive thoughts? Cry out to Him for help and be real. One of my biggest frustrations with people is their complete lack of honesty with themselves and others. I know people that whenever you try to have a conversation with them, their answer is always, “I’m just praising Jesus!” You never feel angry, frustrated, resentful, jealous, or envious? You never have a bad day? Really? Never? Wow, that’s amazing. The enemy must never attack you. Must be nice.
Just be real. Read the Psalms. David poured out all his heart and mind to the Lord and not on Facebook. God is big enough to handle your frustrations with the flesh and others. There’s a battle going on and the enemy of your soul doesn’t quit; but greater is He in you. Get on your knees and in the Word. Tune out every other voice but His. Be proactive in controlling your thought life. Share your burdens/sins and feelings of jealousy, envy, anger or offense with a trusted brother/sister.
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2
The word burden here means “a weight of personal and eternal significance.” It can refer to a character flaw, a struggle, or a moral requirement.
“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:16
We must keep our hearts clean and pure. The mind is a battlefield and if you do not control your thought life, those destructive thoughts will make their way into your heart. Then you will have real problems. Keep your mind on Jesus and His Word. Refocus. Make Him bigger than anything you are dealing with. Surround yourself with godly friends who are mature enough to handle when you are having a rough day.
To Learn More About Pastor Crystal please visit the Leadership Page
