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There
are some feelings of the soul that are so deep that we often wonder why
we were created the way we are. Jealousy is one of those feelings that
lurks in the dark recesses of our hearts and seems to come out at the
most opportune time. Jealousy has its roots in insecurity. It's
basically derived from the fear of loss. A man becomes obsessively jealous because he's afraid he'll lose his wife or girl friend. One
worker is jealous of another one because he or she is afraid that he
may lose his position or esteem. Jealousy is rooted in fear and fear is
based in insecurity.
There's only one cure for the deep wounds of the soul - faith in Jesus. Faith is the opposite of fear, and Jesus is the Source of security. It's only through our trust in Him that we find victory over the fruit of our insecurity. Jesus is our victor. He was the most secure man to ever grace this planet. He is our Rock, our Shield, and our Defender. He is the secure place during the storms that rage about us. It's only as we come to Him in simple child like faith that we find peace in the storms.
When Christ came into my life, God set me free from many things. I no longer was a slave to alcohol, sex, and ego. The truth of God's love set me free. However, I still struggled with jealousy for a long time. I tried to overcome the jealousy, but found it impossible. It seemed as though the harder I tried, the more jealous I became. So, I just gritted my teeth and tried even more not to be jealous. But jealousy had me trapped in a world of insecurity.
One day someone shared with me the secret of victory in the Christian life. It was not in what I could do, but rather in what Christ has already done on the cross 2000 years ago. He told me that I needed to trust in Christ and not in my own strength. That day I prayed and said, "God, I've sincerely tried to overcome jealousy, but I have failed miserably. Now I'm trusting in your Son for my victory over jealousy. I can't overcome this problem in my life, but you have already overcome it. So, today I'm trusting Jesus to be my victor over jealousy.
Guess what happened? I found victory. But I've discovered that it's not a one time leap of faith. Victory is a daily walk of faith. I've had to learn that every morning when I awaken, I need to trust in Jesus. I need to say to Him as I begin each day, "God, I'm trusting You to be my victory over jealousy." When I do that, I walk in victory. But when I try to live the Christian life in my own power, I'm defeated.
Jesus makes me secure. True victory over jealousy comes when we have no other rock upon which to stand. It comes when He alone is our Fortress, when He is our all. When Christ in a very practical way is our very life, then overcoming jealousy is no longer a major problem for us. There's a sense of security that comes only from resting in Him. It calms the deep confusion of the soul. When He is our life, then nothing can shake us. We are "more than conquerors through Christ."
Jealousy and insecurity tremble in the presence of Jesus. Fear flees at the mention of His name. He is strong and mighty. He has overcome. He will give us His victory over jealousy as we trust in Him.
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