No Comparison

Lately it’s been hard for me to not compare myself and where I am in my life to others. In particular…I REALLY want a house. I want to have a backyard for all of my plants, and for my kids to hang out in. I want to be able to have friends and family over and not have to worry about space.

Notice I said that I WANT. I quite literally have everything I NEED. My family has a roof over their heads, we have food and clean water, we have our health, we have transportation…and the list goes on. I even have plants and vegetables growing on my patio!

Proverbs 27:4 says

“Anger is cruel, and wrath is like a flood, but jealousy is even more dangerous.”

‭‭I often use the Enduring Word app to help me understand the Bible and dive deeper into it, and for this verse it says: “Envy is worse than both of them, partly, because it is more unjust and unreasonable, as not caused by any provocation, as wrath and anger are, but only proceeding from a malignity of mind, whereby a man is grieved for another man’s happiness…and partly, because it is more secret and undiscernible, and therefore the mischievous effects of it are hardly avoidable; whereas wrath and anger discover themselves, and so forewarn and forearm a man against the danger.”

‭‭Eye opening. I never thought about it like that. I have to be careful to not let it consume me, or to make the thought of it an idol. God has ALWAYS taken care of me, and because I am not a homeowner, it just means that it is not my time. Maybe I will never own a home. I have to be okay with that and do my best to wring that particular feeling/sin of jealousy out of my heart.

Like most things…easier said than done…because the world tells us that the next step in my life SHOULD be home ownership. But we are called to NOT be like the world. I should be focusing on heaven and things of the kingdom, for this world will pass away. I need to focus on the fruit of the Spirit, so my life will show that I know Jesus.

A house won’t do that for me.

Dear Jesus,

Please search my heart and remove any jealousy and hidden anger or resentment from it. Help me to focus on You and only You. Thank You for taking care of me and my family. Please continue to keep Your hands on us. I love You and I praise Your name. Please forgive me of my sins, and help me to be more like You. In Your name I pray….amen.