The Green-Eyed Monster

This post may seem a bit random, but it is something that is ever present in our world, and many times we don't even recognize the danger of it. "The Green-eyed Monster" is a phrase we use to describe jealousy. Jealousy is a nasty, sneaky little disease that creeps up on us when we stop being content with who we are, and what we have. While it is usually believed that women are more prone to jealousy, men are just as susceptible to it. The main difference in the jealousy that men experience that sets it apart from the more easily recognized material jealousy of women, is that men become jealous of each other's abilities. In teens you witness it in the weight room, where the 170 lb. boy is able to bench press 50 lbs. more than the 150 lb. boy. As adults weaker business negotiators will get together & try to ostracize or bring down the top salesman in the firm.

Many Christians & Jews alike overlook it, but the 10th commandment is "You shall not covet..." it then goes on to explain several examples of coveting. This commandment is another way of saying, "Don't be jealous!" If you go through the list of the 10 commandments, you'll discover that they were created with our interest in mind. When we murder, steal, disobey our parents, and or commit adultery we hurt others, and in turn increase the chances that someone is going to get back at us. The problem with being jealous of someone else is that it is so taxing of your time because it takes over so much of your thought process. In short it will eat you alive.

You should also be on your guard against other people who are jealous of you. I'd rather have 50 people that just simply didn't like me, than to have 1 person that was jealous of me. One jealous person has the potential to do more harm than you can imagine. My advice is this, when you see a jealous person coming, don't fall for being flattered that they wish they were you, or they wish they had what you have. Just turn and run (don't walk) the other direction. Your real friends will be happy for you, and not try to make you feel guilty when you succeed, or when great things happen in your life.

If you find yourself falling prey to envy, just remind yourself that what may appear grand on the outside isn't always what it's cracked up to be on the inside. People who live in enormous houses are also paying enormous utility bills. You may see a woman that you grew up with that looks like she should be in Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition, but what you don't see is that her husband has been cheating on her, and she's doing everything she can to try to find some level of worth in herself. I'm not saying this is always the case, I'm just saying that appearances are sometimes the only thing that people feel they have any control over. When people go on nice vacations, they've usually had to cut back in some other area in order to afford it. If they haven't made cutbacks to pay for things like vacations, then guess what, it gets added on top of any other debt they've accumulated, and at some point we all have to pay the piper. New cars are great, but on the flip side... 2 summers ago I got one, and guess what it's not so new anymore, and I've still got 3 more years left to pay on it. I remember growing up there were a lot of kids that would be jealous of me and my sister because my Dad is a doctor. What they don't know is that my Mom, sister, and I used to spend at least three to four nights a week alone without seeing Dad because he had to be on call so much, not until the past 5 years has it gotten to where he's only gone about 2 nights per week. He's almost 55, and still has to get up and leave the house anytime he gets a call. Instead of letting someone else's possessions, looks, or achievements bother you, just take time to reflect on the good things you have going on in your life. Chances are you have something that other people would give anything for, and you don't even know it!