The Green Eyed Monster

We're puppy sitting this cute little guy this week. His name is Emmett, though sometimes we call him Ewok. He's absolutely adorable to all of us, except Daisy. Our darling Daisy likes him, but she doesn't like sharing us with him. Not. At. All. If she's in my arms, she will not share space with Emmett. When we pick him up to snuggle, she senses it -- no matter where she is in the house -- and charges at us, barking her head off. She's a sweet dog, thankfully. No puppy attacks or anything.

Watching Daisy's jealous behavior, God reminds me that sometimes we act the same. Yes, friends, we all hide a green eyed monster inside. Here in the blogging community, we write, hoping followers will appreciate each post. But then... we compare our meager number of followers to a blogging friend's thousands and wonder why our number is so small. We pour our hearts into an "incredible" post and not one person comments. Crushed. We wonder why doesn't anyone comment? Why doesn't anyone care?

And it's not just bloggers who suffer from jealousy. We compare wardrobes, child success, houses, cars, even facebook "life" and wonder why we don't have what someone else does. You can deny it, but you know it's true. Something out there makes you jealous, even though you know (as I do) that it's wrong.

James 4:2-3 says, "You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions."

Ouch! Sometimes God's Word is no fun to read, but we need to read and understand if we are to become mature. Reread it, slowly this time: "You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions."

Look at the end and work your way back. We ask God for more money, for new clothes, for a better life.... Why? So we can live more like the neighbors or so we can please Him? He wants us to ask on His behalf, for the betterment of HIS kingdom. What is the motive of our hearts - selfishness or His glory?

Blogging friends, do you want followers for yourself? Or will you trust God to bring readers to you who will be blessed, challenged and spurred to Christian growth? (I'm talking to myself here -- I sometimes get caught up in the numbers -- though I don't want to be that way.)

Living in this world is already tough. How about we simplify? Let's stop comparing ourselves to others and thank God for His blessings instead? How different would the world be if we encouraged and cheered each other on instead of tearing each other down?

Because the truth is.... a little jealousy among two tiny dogs is kind of cute. Two grown adults growling and snipping is not so cute.

Chime in. Do you agree? Why?