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Jealous Eyes to Thankful Hearts

    When you love someone you want the best for them. You don't think about all the things they have and you don't, but you think of what you want to give to them. Likewise, it is hard to love someone when you are focused on wanting all their blessings. Jealousy is blinding. We cannot love with envy standing in the way.

    Envy takes our eyes off of Jesus and the things He is doing and onto what He is not seeming to do for us, personally. It is a dangerous trap to be in because you are blind to what He has given to you. He blesses and uses us all differently. Amazingly, we are each completely unique in Him. Don't let the enemy distract you with what you don't seem to have, but let Jesus show you what you do.

    When we don't see what is around us we begin to lose our thankfulness. We are supposed to be living a lifestyle of thankfulness to Jesus and all the wonderful things He has done for us. We thank Him and we praise Him and let Him use us according to what He has designed for. That is where you will find blessings and satisfaction and love and appreciation for your brother and sisters.

    We cannot live a lifestyle of jealousy for what we do not have. Stop envying those around you and focus on Jesus and all He has done. Be thankful that you were created to carry a unique piece of Jesus that no one else does. Be thankful He made your brothers and sisters to carry other pieces that you couldn't. Be thankful that our Heavenly Father sent His son Jesus to die on the cross to save us, so that we may have a life full of joy and peace.

1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast (ESV)

James 3:14-16 But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. 15 For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. (NLT)

1 Corinthians 3:3 For you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? (ESV)

 Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. (ESV)

Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (ESV)

 1 Thessalonians 3:18 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (ESV)

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