Battling Jealousy

This devotion was taken from a book of devotions that my daughter, Megan Kimbrough, and I wrote years ago. The book is titled "Dancing Like a Shepherd Boy, Fighting Like a King." It was designed as a flip book for pre-teens. One half of the book was about the victories (dances) in David's life. The other half was about his struggles. Enjoy this devotion about one of the struggles he faced – jealousy.

Scripture of the Day: I Samuel 18: 12, 14 – 16

Saul was afraid of him (David), and he was jealous because the LORD had left him and was now with David. David continued to succeed in everything he did, for the LORD was with him. When Saul recognized this, he became even more afraid of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David because he was so successful at leading his troops into battle. (To learn more about Saul's jealousy of David, read I Samuel 18 all the way through!  It'll knock your socks off!)

David's Battle:  Jealousy

Here's the deal… David had to struggle with jealousy, but not in the way you might be thinking.  He wasn't the jealous one in this story.  He was the one that King Saul was jealous of.  Had David done anything deliberate to make the king jealous?  No way!  But ever since that incident with Goliath, Saul just couldn't seem to get over being envious of David.  When the people were chanting, "Saul has killed his thousands and David his ten thousands," Saul wasn't just hurt or angry.  He was overcome with jealousy.  This young kid, David, had done something he hadn't done.  He was "better" at something than Saul was.  This fact tormented Saul for the rest of his life, and the jealousy that he felt eventually led to his downfall.  David had a hard time dealing with Saul's jealousy, too!  After all, he was just doing what he knew God had called him to do.  He fought in the army and did very well in all of his battles.  Why?  To make a name for himself?  Nope!  He was actually fighting because he loved the king – not to make the king jealous!  He wasn't trying to "outshine" Saul.  No way.  He was just being himself.  That's why Saul's jealousy really bugged him.  David had to learn how to deal with the king's feelings and learn how to guard himself from anger and frustration.

Strategic Questions:

Which is tougher – to be the jealous one or the one that others are jealous of?
What other sins can jealousy lead to?
Is it possible to hide your jealousy of others?

Putting On Your Armor:

You never get jealous, right?  Of course you do!  We all do!  We get really bugged when we think we're good at something – then someone else comes along who's a little better.  Like Saul, we often get upset and can't seem to get over it.  As Christians, we know that it's wrong to feel this way, but in our heart of hearts we just don't want that other person to succeed because he or she might look better than us.  Talk about wrong attitudes!  God has given all of his children gifts and abilities, and He wants all of them to succeed.  If we all had the attitude of David, we would see that it's a good thing to have successful friends.  The more successful people there are in the Kingdom of God, the more people we can all win to Christ together!  Guard yourself with the shield of faith so that you can stop the fiery arrows of jealousy that Satan is aiming at you.  Stay dressed in your battle gear so that you and your friends can all be successful and live lives of peace with one another!

S.O.S. (Speaking to Our Savior in prayer)!

Dear Lord,

I'm so sorry for the times I've been jealous of my friends and co-workers.  I confess – this has been a problem in my life.  Please help me to see that their success doesn't make me a failure.  When others are jealous of me, help me to have the attitude of David.  Remind me that you see us all as success stories.  In Jesus' name I pray.  Amen.