Home » Dorms » Student Lounge

The Sharp Claws of Jealousy

The Endless Job Search

"A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones" (Proverbs 14:30 NIV).

I started my internship with TrueU around the middle of May. Since it's unpaid I decided to look for a part-time job to help pay the bills. Unfortunately, the weeks began to pass, and there was no job in sight. I began to think that my summer would be spent filling out job applications, but not making any money.

I kept a list of all the places I applied so that I could regularly check back and see what the status of my application was, but no one seemed to want to hire me. I even had a few interviews but still nothing. When a friend of mine who had been searching for only a short time landed a job, I instantly became jealous of him. I told him congratulations but in the back of my mind I felt like exploding like Mt. St. Helens. How could he get a job before me? I thought. I've been searching much longer than he has.¹

The job search continued. At the time it was unclear to me, but now I realize that all I could think about was what I wanted and not necessarily what God was doing in my life through my jobless situation.

But I Want More ...

It's easy sometimes to become so wrapped up in what others have that we completely forget about the blessings God has given us. Whether it's beauty, social position, intelligence, education, opportunities, or respect that we want, jealousy can be a powerful and dangerous weapon. It can sever relationships with friends and family. Sometimes it's hard to admit our jealousy or even recognize that we're dealing with it.

How to Conquer That Green-Eyed Monster

So what can we do to deal with this jealousy problem and make sure it's not a ruler in our lives?

1. Recognize when jealousy is controlling you and admit your problem to the Lord. You might be able to hide the jealousy from your boyfriend, but hiding it from God is not possible. Do you harbor jealousy against someone you work with or go to school with? Does it always seem like a competition? Jealousy can control you if you don't give it up to God.
2. Be thankful for what you have. Take time out of every day, not just at Thanksgiving, to remember what you have — and I'm not just referring to material possessions. Remember there are people out there who are living in worse situations. You may not have a big, fancy apartment, but some people don't have anywhere to lay their head at night. Thank God for your family, your friends, your freedom, your health. Thank Him for the gifts and talents He has given you. The list is endless.
3. Instead of being jealous of someone, tell them you appreciate them and the talents and gifts that God has given them. It's not always easy to do, but it's important to recognize that God has different plans for each of us. His plan for you probably looks different than those of your friends. If you have offended the person and made it very clear that you're jealous of them, let them know how sorry you are.
4. Don't compare what God has given you to what He's given someone else. The things in life that are really important can't really be compared. What matters is that you show God's glory in all that you do and you use the gifts and abilities that God has given to you.
5. Be content with what you have and trust God to give you what you need when you need it.² Let God be the judge of what you really need. Being jealous of someone is a subtle indication that you're not completely satisfied with what He's given you.

My Provider

God knows your every need.³ Being jealous may also be a sign that we don't put complete trust in Him to provide for us. It's easy to trust God when the blessings He gives us are overflowing, but we need to trust Him in all situations.

However, remember the difference between the needs in your life and the wants in your life. Philippians 4:19 says "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." In Matthew Jesus teaches about how God provides for the birds and the flowers.⁴

C O F F E E  S H O P

---

What are some ways you've found to overcome jealousy in your life?

Join the discussion!

Jealousy is unhealthy in our Christian walk but we don't have to let it rule our lives. In 1 Peter 2:1, Peter says "Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander of every kind." When you think of it doesn't jealousy make you feel miserable? You continually want something but you can't have it. It can make you feel frustrated and discontent. So instead of being jealous, try thinking of all the things God has blessed you with.

And, no worries, just a few short weeks after my friend got his job I received a job offer as well. God is good.