What Jealousy Does by Martin Wiles

She dreamed of being a concert pianist, but her dream never came true.

Diane* started piano lessons while in the fifth grade. Before graduating high school, she was playing for a local dance studio and using her talents in church, but her big dreams changed when she met Bill.*

Bill was in the Army and about to be shipped overseas. They married, and after his mobilization, Diane returned home to finish high school. But she never became a concert pianist. God called Bill to be a minister, and a few years after his discharge Bill followed the call and took Diane with him. Diane’s favorite phrase became, “It must be nice.”

All the royal officials at the king’s gate knelt down and paid honor to Haman….But Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor (Esther 3:2). Haman also had jealousy issues. He descended from the Amalekites-Israel’s ancient enemies. When the king promoted him to prime minister, he seized his chance for revenge by asking the king to sign a decree killing all the Jews.

Jealousy leads to unforgiveness even when it’s illogical. Because they mercilessly killed his people, God told Moses to destroy the Amalekites from generation to generation. Haman wouldn’t let go of an ancient battle.

Jealousy can also result in ungodly and unwise actions. Mordecai represented all the Jews Haman hated, and his refusal to honor Haman’s position infuriated him so he asked the king to sign their death warrant.

Nothing good ever comes from jealousy. When dashed dreams or others’ successes cause you to be jealous, thank God instead for controlling your destiny and for not limiting his work to just a few individuals but for using all who are willing.

Prayer: Teach us Father that while life is not always fair, it is always controlled by You with our best interests in mind.
*Names changed to protect privacy.