SPOILER ALERT: If any of my readers think I’m a great person (I know, figure the odds) and such a person doesn’t what to be set straight, stop reading. Those of you who know I’m a jerk will enjoy today’s posting so read ion for a change.
During the month of February David Jeremiah has been teaching on Slaying the Giants in Your life. Regretfully, I saw myself often as he marched through such things as fear, guilt, and resentment. I felt right at home as he discussed discouragement, loneliness and failure. It was not a waste of my time when worry and anger were discussed.
But on the last day of the month, he was really “reading my mail” as he discussed the green-eyed monster of jealousy and envy. I guess I had never considered myself to be a jealous or envious person. Wrong. I don’t envy those who are wealthier, younger or better looking. (There are just too many such persons out there.) I thought I had finally made it through one “giant” unscathed until “professional jealousy” was mentioned.
It turns out I do have a problem with those who have more professional success than I do. Sadly I suffer from this not only in my full-time legal profession, but in my part-time avocations as well. I am envious of those who teach and preach the gospel. Isn’t that sad? It didn’t make it feel any better when it was clear that Jeremiah has some of the same problem. The really bad thing about this is that it is based on an idea that I can do a better job at the teaching and preaching than those who do it for a living. There is certainly no evidence of that. I realize that most of these people are pastors and such. I don’t want to be a pastor. Been there. Done that. That’s too much work and not much fun at all. Preaching and teaching is fun.
Thankfully,David Jeremiah discussed the “cure” for this. Call it sin since it is. Pray for those you envy, noting that prayer leads to love and love and envy can’t reside together. Realize that envy is saying that God hasn’t been as generous to you as He has to others. Didn’t take me long to realize that this is not so.
So you preachers and teachers out there. If you feel a sudden flood of the Holy Spirit. Know that it is due to my intense prayer for you.
No need to thank me. It’s part of my penance.
Have you something to confess? I highly recommend it.
Get it off your chest and be blessed.
Nick
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