Why Can't That Be Me?

Rid yourselves of all widedness, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander.

1 Peter 2:1

The story today is of 2 sisters Kasey and Valerie, who live far from each other. They are talking on the phone and Valerie is telling Kasey how much she misses her, and wants Kasey to come see her sometime soon. Kasey tells her maybe sometime next year, but knows she probably won't be able to afford it even then. Valerie offers to pay for Kasey's plane ticket. And while Kasey recognizes her sisters giving heart, it still frustrates her that she can't afford the plane ticket herself. Kasey is finding herself jealous of her sister's financial success, and even though she misses her sister, she doesn't want her sister to foot the bill.

I know how hard it is to be envious of someone else's life. Sometimes it's really hard not to look at someone else who seems to doing be doing well, and not be envious, when you know the struggles you are having. But the plain truth is, things are never what they seem. Most of the time if you take a closer look at the person's life, there are problems you are glad you don't have. While they are taking vacations, and buying new things, they may have a mountain of debt. While they may make a very good salary and live in a big house, and drive a nice car, their marriage may be falling apart. You never know, what lies just under the surface. There are times that I have to remind myself of this daily. It is hard not be jealous, but I have to be content with what God has blessed me with.

Steps of Faith:
Loving Father, please help me to overcome my jealousy and instead to focus on all of the things You have given me. Help me to have a grateful heart regardless of my current situation.

Deeper Walk: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NAS

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brand and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seet its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the trutch; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.