Don't Be Jealous

 

By Dorcas Moyo

Genesis 16:1-16

Sarah was childless and longed for a child, so she had a maidservant named Hagar. Sarah decided that Hagar should sleep with her husband Abraham to conceive a child. Abraham agreed to this, and Hagar became pregnant. Once Hagar was expecting, Sarah grew envious of her, especially as Hagar's pregnancy began to show. Sarah's jealousy led her to mistreat Hagar so much that Hagar eventually fled. However, Sarah had originally orchestrated the situation to bring about a child.

Jealousy can manifest in many ways in our lives. There are people who may initially help you get a job, but once you start working, they begin to feel jealous of your success. There are women who may have rejected a man, but when they see him marry another woman, they become envious. Similarly, men may have rejected a woman but later become jealous when they see her with someone else. This jealousy is not limited to relationships—it can happen among friends, colleagues, and even within families.

There are family members who might see you putting in hard work, and when you ask them for help, they refuse, but once you achieve success, they begin to feel envious. They were the ones who rejected your requests for assistance, but now they want to share in your accomplishments.

Today, I want to remind you that jealousy can be destructive. It consumes your peace and fills your heart with bitterness. Instead, let us focus on God's plan for us. After Hagar fled, God appeared to her and promised that she would have many descendants. God's intervention in Hagar’s life is a testament to His faithfulness, even in times of hardship.

When you harbor jealousy, you hinder your own blessings. Instead, celebrate the successes of others and trust in God’s timing and provision for your life. When you support and celebrate others, you open doors for your own blessings.

Remember, jealousy is a poison to the soul, but when we rejoice in the successes of others, we align ourselves with God’s will. Amen.