Window Shopping-10/25/11

Window shopping is that pastime where you go looking at things but not actually buying them. What happens for some of us though is that we end up resenting the fact that we can't have those things, and we stop appreciating what we have in the first place.

This week we talked about envy and jealousy, which are not actually interchangeable words. Envy is wishing we had what someone else has, and jealousy is the fear of losing what we already have. We are focusing this semester on cultivating contentment in this season of life, and envy and jealousy will rob us of contentment faster than anything. By definition, contentment is not wanting anything different than what you have, from material possessions to our families to gifts and talents, just to name a few.

As we talked about, there are many reasons why we envy others:

• Because we are overly concerned with our personal rights. This is where the "I deserve..." thinking comes in.
• Because we take other people's success personally, like it is a strike against us if someone else succeeds.
• Because we just want more. Plain and simple. If a little is good, more is better.
• Because we yearn for status and achievement. This just feeds in to the whole identity issue...I am what I do.

We need to face this sin (because that is what it is) head on. Unchecked envy or jealousy will leave us feeling bitter and resentful and leads to all kinds of ugly behavior. We are not loving our neighbor if we are busy being ugly, right? Don't compare your weakness to someone else's strength. We all have gifts and talents, and if we all had the same one this would be a pretty lopsided world.

Cultivate the joy of giving, whether it is material giving or otherwise. Hold the possessions you do have loosely, being ready to bless someone else as the opportunity arises. Be gracious to those you are actually envious of, and see how that works to transform the way you feel. Feelings follow actions, and if you act decently towards someone you are jealous of, you will feel better about the situation. It's funny how getting to know the rest of the person, not just the quality you wish you had, evens things out.

Choose each day where you will focus your thoughts. Each day we are given a chance to glorify God and live a life of contentment, even when things don't go as we think they should have.

Remember:
"You will live a life of constant discouragement if you feed yourself on what God hasn't done instead of what He has."

Outside Resources:
Facing Your Feelings
Goodbye Old Friend: Asking Jealousy to Leave
A Truly Amazing Race- my story of the triathlon...things did not turn out as planned that day, lol