Since time immemorial there has been no cure for jealousy or baldness. Though not 100% but science has found a remedy for baldness. But jealousy??? Are we able to rejoice and celebrate in the progress and success of others?? Are we happy in the success of our brothers and sisters?? Do we pray for their success??? Or do we experience the green devil of jealousy??? Ask yourselves…
The first incident of jealousy is found in the first born itself in the Bible. It’s present even today in the form of Cain (Genesis 4: 3-9, 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. 4 And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast….8 Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.”While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” .“I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
Martha and Mary: Mary sat in the Lord’s presence and listened to His words. Martha on the other hand was engaged in the kitchen. So she complains to Jesus about Mary’s indifference. Another example of jealousy. Martha was not asked for anything, yet she chose to be engaged in kitchen chores, and Mary chose to listen to the Lord.( Luke 10: 41-42, 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Sarah and Hagar: Abraham’s wife, Sarah out of jealousy that Ishmael, the son of her servant Hagar would share in her husband’s property, sends them away into wandering.(Genesis 21: 10, 10 and she said to Abraham, “Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac.”
Laban’s sons: Jacob had toiled in the field of Laban as well as looked after his livestock form years. The little that Laban had, grew under Jacob because the Lord was pleased with him. This however did not go well with Laban’s sons. They felt jealous and insecure of Jacob’s success. Genesis 31: 1, 31 Jacob heard that Laban’s sons were saying, “Jacob has taken everything our father owned and has gained all this wealth from what belonged to our father.”
Be it family life, community life or life of ascetic, jealousy is the root to the problems. No matter how heavenly the life you lead, once infected by the cancer of jealousy it will be destroyed for sure.
The siblings of jealousy are irritation, envy and sadness. Jealousy is opposite to Love. Cancer destroys the cells of life. Similarly, jealousy gradually destroys the cells of love like a cancer. E.g. A famous writer Perunathachan killed own son out of jealousy of his success. This is such a cheap feeling.
What is it’s cure/ remedy??
- Learn to pray for others sincerely and with open hands.
- Accept humility into your life like Jesus.
- We must accept the fact that the Lord gives what they deserve.
- Learn to rejoice and celebrate in the success of others.
- Learn to be yourself. Adam and Eve tried to be like God and ended up losing Eden. Do not try to be God.
- Everyone has their own talents and potential and each with a use and purpose of their own . E.g. Doctor, engineer, teachers, etc. If there were only doctors how will the world function?? Thus accept everyone.
- Learn to accept that Lord has a definite plan for everyone’s life. (Jeremiah 29:11, 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.)
Examples:
Genesis 37:27,27 Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.” His brothers agreed. Joseph was the youngest son of Jacob. He was the loved one of Jacob. His father made a beautiful cloak for him. This became a cause of jealousy and envy among his brothers, and it only increased. They sold him for 20 pieces of silver to the Ishmaelites. Potiphar, captain of Pharaoh guard bought him as his servant. Pharaoh made him the caretaker of everything since he saw God was with him. When Egypt was gripped with famine, Joseph saved everyone. Here we witness the plan of God. As a small boy, Lord had already made plans for him through dreams and visions.
Crucifixion of Christ: Christ committed Himself to be born as Son of man and to be crucified at the cross. His miracles and signs found Him many followers and believers. Due to envy and jealousy, the High priests accused Him of blasphemy and had Him killed. Mark 15: 9-10, 9 “Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate, 10 knowing it was out of self-interest that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him.
Think: If the High priests too had joined Christ and not crucified Him out of envy, how would we be saved?? Because of Christ’s crucifixion and suffering, the world was saved. This too is Lord’s plan. He gave his beloved Son to save the world.
Jehovah Roi 