Friday, May 16, 2008

Dealing with jealousy

Recently, I've been dealing a LOT with jealousy and wishing I was at a different stage of my life.

Sometimes I'll think "Wow, God, you've really given me more than I ever deserve, and you've helped me to not be envious of others and what they have." And then, I'll see a young mother holding a baby, with a toddler or two clinging to her skirts, and I'll just about lose it. "God, why can't I just skip the next five years of my life and be stable, married, and have two or three kids? That's all I want right now. Just give me people I can love and who love me, and I'll be happy and do everything You ask."

If anyone has any advice on dealing with this kind of thing, please don't hesitate to share it with me. :)

Peace of Christ be with you always,

Erin

4 comments:

Connor Hamilton said...

I don't know how well-qualified I am to comment on this, or how good of advice I can give, but a thought did come to me when I read your post. Perhaps it would help to remember or note that fixing your hopes too much on your future plans could prevent you from being as productive of a Christian now. Perhaps you don't need to be reminded of that, though, so take it or leave it! :-)

And certainly prayer, spending time in the Scriptures, and remembering that others are praying for you are always good things. That advice I can give with confidence.

Corinth said...

I've dealt with that sort of thing in the past, and all I can say is pray, pray, pray. Read your Bible. Try to remember that God wants you at this stage of your life and that there's a job He has for you right now. Contemplating the future is fine, but don't get too wrapped up in it, as Connor said, or you may not do the job God has for you as well. :-)

Erin said...

Thanks for the excellent advice, both of you! :) I appreciate it. I am constantly wobbling back and forth from faith to despair, and back again. I suppose we all have such things happen at one point or another. Thanks for reminding me of the power of prayer and studying God's Word.

Unknown said...

yeah, that's the sort of thing I struggle with pretty much every day. What works best for me is usually focusing on the present moment, but most specifially as to how you might be using it to prepare and better yourself.

It's encouraging to specifically think how you might be bettering yourself for whatever future you want, but it's also important to keep in mind that you're also just striving to be more Christlike, which will better prepare you for whatever God plans for you.

That way, you can relate to the future you're envisioning by living in the present - where God wants you and has you! And also, it's realistic because you're not trying to ignore your dreaming completely... not entirely realistic. Definitely don't focus on it too much, but I'd say it's okay to keep it in mind with a focus on the present. God has many things for you to do before you grow up and start up a family; some just as a kid, and some that will prepare you for your future - don't miss any of them!