Jealousy: A third party, a rival, competing for, stealing something that is or should have been yours.

1) Creates a Barrier in Your Relationship with God

When the enemy uses jealousy it will create a barrier between you and God. It usually pounces off your feelings making you upset with God over whatever your hands couldn’t control and for the things that lack in your life. Then, when you envy another person’s life, your low self-esteem will affect your identity in Christ. Jealousy causes you to lack vision, removing Christ from the center of your life and placing yourself as first priority. When Christ isn’t in the center of your life, truly you have no joy to spear because we know that joy comes from the Lord when our identity is found in him, not ourselves.

‘Though you have not seen him, you love; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.’ - 1 Peter 1:8-9

2) Separation from Your Family and Friends

It’s a common when you are jealous of a family member or friend that it will stir up frustration without even realizing it. It will remind you of what you really feel about lacking what they are not and intently stir our attentions on earthly, material things, rather than spiritual rewards. Then, when jealousy is not handled, you will begin feeling uncomfortable around the family member or friend causing you to separate and not be in the presence of the other. This defeats the purpose of what we ought to be, overruling the guidelines of being a true friend that Paul has written in Romans 12:9-21.

‘Set your minds on things above, not on things on the earth.’ - Colossians 3:2

3) Enforces You to Take Things Personally

It’s challenging to not take things personally when dealing with jealousy. The problem with jealousy is that it’s possessive in insecurity and shame, drawing your feelings to the idea of paranoia of not being enough. The critical inner voices and feelings that are fostered can be more painful to us than the threat itself. Causing all the negative self-coaching to accompany itself in a level of doubt that keeps you from realizing that you are truly valuable.

‘Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.’ - Romans 12:2

4) Enhancement of Anxiety

Jealously is catastrophic; causing sudden damage and suffering. When infected with such virus, a strong aversion, decomposing, and indestructible anxiety meets with your end. The assurance you once had regarding your future is starting to sink, evoking security and kickoff with insecurity. This jealousy exercises a power of inner cruelty causing of an inappropriate doubt- leaving you with feelings of unease, worry, and fear. Then, when jealousy meets with your anxiety it becomes chronic and will affect your appetite and sleep. If not addressed, jealousy can also lead to depression.

‘A sound heart is life to the body but envy is rottenness to the bones.’ - Proverbs 14:30

5) Sparks up Anger & Hatred

Jealousy affects you in a negative way. Song of Solomon 8:6, lets us know that jealousy is fierce as the grave. It displays an intense and savage aggressiveness. Jealously knows no moderation and its purpose is to devour anyone that comes in contact with it. The truth is jealous people are incomplete in themselves and instead of making themselves better they stir up hateful emotions toward an innocent. The anguishes of jealousy tend to cause corrosion within a relationship or friendship and rise violence that utterly destroys you.

‘You desires and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.’ - James 4:2-3

How to Deal with Jealousy 101

Of course, there are some practical ways you can overcome your jealousy:

Talk. – When you are feeling jealous towards a person, don’t just soak it up and battle it. Take your jealousy and confront it. Go to the source and tell them about your feelings without blaming them. Let them know you are feeling worried and jealous. This will prevent you from being angry and stir up hatred towards them.
Be Objective. – Just because you feel like someone is being a threat doesn’t necessarily mean that is genuine. Try viewing the situation in a way that is not influenced by personal feelings or opinions.
Pray. – Jealousy can easily lead you to live in sin. Scripture reminds us of that where jealousy exists, there will be disorder and vile practice (James 3:16). Therefore, pray and ask God to lead and help you.

Friends, I hope this was able to help you get a better understanding of how jealousy can steal your joy and stray you away from keeping Christ at the center of your life. When facing such trial, make sure to turn your head towards the heavens and not away from the heavens. May the Lord, strengthen you to overcome any obstacle placed in your way.

‘But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.’ - James 3:14

Beautiful Anda manages A Vessel For God. Learn more about Anda, pictured above!