When You Are Up Against the Thief Of Joy

Wow, she has the perfect job! Look at how much she loves her work...I wish I had a fun job! 

Man, her skin is so clear! I have been battling acne for far too long...how is her skin free of red blotches without any makeup? 

There she is again, out on a romantic date with her husband. What is it, the third one in two weeks? Who in the world is watching her five kids? How does she even have time for that sort of thing? 

I can't believe I chose this college. Look how many friends she has made? All those cute sorority pictures are making me sick. If I see her hugging one more gorgeous, tan, tall, blonde I'm going to crack! 

Well she's taking her new year's resolution seriously. She was already super thin before she dropped five pounds. The cute work out clothes, healthy grocery hauls, and expensive exercise equipment...this is discouraging me more than inspiring me! 

Her quiet time set up is on point! She has her coffee, cozy socks, perfect handwriting, highlighted Bible, and adorable notebook jam-packed with deep notes. How come God never speaks to me like that? 


Hhhmm where have I heard those lines before? Oh yea! It sounds a lot like that little (yet loud) voice in my head while I'm scrolling through Instagram, talking to my girlfriends at church, and people watching at the grocery store. 

We get jealous of appearances, lifestyles, hobbies, and, the most detrimental, God's work in other people's lives. Envy is a virus that sinks deep into our hearts and grows. Before long, its symptoms develop into outward acts of malice, violence, slander, and hurt. By envying God work in others, we can end up seriously damaging their ministry. 

Jealousy of one's Kingdom work hinders the advance of the gospel. 

In 1 Samuel 18, we read of David's great success under the reign of King Saul. God was clearly using David for His glory as he struck down the Philistines. The people praised David more than King Saul, yet David did not let their boasts get to his head. But Saul did. Envy overtook Saul's heart and he eyed David from that day on. 

Look at David, the people love him! They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands. What more can he have but the kingdom? He has already taken my honor and now he is after my throne too? 

"Proud men cannot endure to hear any praised but themselves." Henry 

The more Saul looked at David's life, the more Saul's jealousy grew. Bitterness spread and multiplied and poisoned until, one day, Saul snapped. He attempted to murder David..twice! 

But the Lord was with David. David escaped Saul's hand and continued to succeed. David behaved wisely for his reward was in the Lord, not man. David was content in God. When Saul deceivingly offers David his daughter, David humbly responds, 

Who am I, and who are my relatives, my father's clan in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king? 1 Samuel 18:22

David grew up as a poor and meek shepherd boy. When success came, he knew how to handle it! He responded just as he would if he was still a "nobody". He did not crave more attention or envy Saul's throne; he did not boast in his glory nor steel God's spotlight. Instead, David: 

"Kept the heart and mind of a shepherd even in a season of great success." Guzik 

Comparison gives birth to either pride or insecurity. No matter what season you are in, great success or humble mediocrity, stop worrying about what others are doing, how they compare, and what they think. Instead, concern yourself with trusting God, delighting in His Name, committing to His plan for you, and staying faithful to His Word. 

Jealousy is being ungrateful for God's beautiful plan, begging for more than God has provided, and distrusting God's plan for your life. 


So when you scroll through your feed, chat with your neighbors, and look out across the gym:

Thank God for those you envy and the work He is accomplishing in their life 

(Philippians 2:3). 
Redirect your attention back on who God is and what He has given you 
(2 Corinthians 10:17). 
Remember that God's best for you looks different than God's best for others 
(Psalm 138:8).
Trust that God is working in and through you AND others
(Philippians 1:6, Psalm 139:14). 


When we are too busy craving more and comparing our life to the girl next door, we miss out on God's best for us. Do not let the success of others distract you from God's work in you! 

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. Psalm 37:4-6

☎︎

The Girl Next Door