I wish I could remember the moment that I came across this verse. I think I was looking up verses about jealousy when working on Until Then and this one popped up. I do remember thinking this verse is perfect for Michelle’s story. And then I actually read the entire Psalm that surrounded that verse and I got that feeling – the one when you know God showed you something he wanted you to see. This particular Psalm is written by a priest, Asaph, and the story he tells HERE is so relevant to what Michelle goes through in the book.
Jealousy.
It can cloud your judgment and make you do stupid things. Jealousy overwhelms with feelings of comparison, inferiority, anger, depression. It can mess you up, get into your head, and ruin your life if you let it. Jealousy messes with Michelle in the book. Big time!
I just saw this on Jasmine Star’s instagram the other day: If comparison is the thief of joy, then envy is the thief of contentment.
Absolutely agree!
Comparison can totally squelch your confidence. If you’re feeling a little unsure of yourself, comparing yourself to others is the quickest way to make you feel like you aren’t good at something, like they are doing everything better, and what you once believed was your purpose is no longer worth your time. Those are all LIES!
And envy over what others have – their success, their position, their popularity, their wealth – will quickly take away that happiness you had over something good happening in your life. It will make you feel like you aren’t doing enough, aren’t working hard enough, like you’re a failure. You’ll be left with anxiety over what you don’t have, rather than calm and peace over the things that God has blessed you with so far.
I have been guilty of both of these things. It’s hard not to compare myself to other authors, to envy the success they have with their books, the many followers they have on social media. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve read a glowing review of another author’s book and thought surely my books are horrible in comparison, even though I haven’t even read their book and, many times, they are books in totally different genres. But still, my mind goes to those places because of my own insecurities, rather than trusting God to put my book in the hands of those who are meant to read it, those who will enjoy my writing and become my lifelong readers and friends.
Here is what I’m working on remembering every day:
Everyone sees life differently, so even if someone else is already doing what you want to do and seems to be doing it well, don’t let that stop you! Use your special and unique talents given to you by God for His glory. Tell your stories, make art, write songs, teach children, do whatever God has called you to do. Because nobody can bring your life experiences to the job, except you. Nobody can do it the way you can, because you’re you, you’re unique. God made you for a purpose. So live purposefully. 😉
Until Then is the second book in my Cornerstone series and is available for KINDLE PRE-ORDER NOW!