23 Jan Is This All I Get? by Jeanette Harrell
Several years ago, I found myself sitting across from a friend of ours that I had not seen in a few years. My friend had recently delivered a baby. Due to the pregnancy, like any normal woman, she was still carrying some baby weight…but because of a gift from God, was carrying it in all the “right” places. You know the type! Unlike most of us with added weight, she was stunning.
I felt envy start to rise from the pit of my stomach. Suddenly, I was able to get a hold of myself and stop the envious thoughts. “Look,” I said to myself, “You have gifts! Focus on them!” For the next several weeks, I focused on taking care of my striking blue eyes with new mascara, new eye shadow, new eyeliner, the works! Suddenly one morning as I was curling my voluminous eye lashes, a big section of them came off…And, I mean a big section. Bang! There went my new beautification program! As funny as this seems, it brings up the age old problem of perspective.
The grass is always greener in someone else’s yard. Or, why is life easier for them than me? Or, an even worse attitude creeps up: “Is this all I get out of life?” Envy can manifest in unexpected places and is known to appear out of no where.
Peter struggled with this topic when he and John (the beloved) were together. Jesus answered Peter. “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me! John 21:22 RSV Why is envy an important topic to talk about and deal with? It’s from those hidden areas of my heart that doubt and unbelief hinder me from recklessly following God. If I am not sure how I need to address abandoned dreams and discouraging outcomes, I view life from my interpretations not God’s.
David writes in Psalm 16:5-6 where to keep our heart focused: “Lord, I have chosen You alone as my inheritance. You alone are my prize, my pleasure, and my portion. I leave my destiny and its timing in your hands. Your pleasant path leads me to pleasant places. I’m overwhelmed by the privileges that come with following you, for you have given me the best.”
I am learning how damaging my life can become if I do not believe God is good in every area of my life.
This is a new year. It’s a great time for me to recognize the changes I need to make to truly see every area of my life the way God sees it. It means discipline and it means diligence, but I’m up for it! How about you?
Jeanette Harrell
Victory Christian Fellowship
Somerset, KY