Greek mythology tells the story of two eagles that were flying. All of a sudden one started flying higher than the other. The lower flying eagle got envious and started plucking out its feathers and throwing darts. The higher flying eagle kept on dodging. Finally, because the lower flying eagle pulled out so many feathers it lost weight in its body and sank to the ground.
This is the reality of envy and jealousy. It does more damage to the person that is envying than the one being envied. While others soar higher, you will find yourself sinking to the ground. A life of envy and jealousy is a life of frustration and prevents us from living our best lives. Therefore, God, who wants us to live an abundant life (John 10:10), longs to help us eliminate envy/jealousy out of our lives, and here is how.
Full hands fearing to be emptied
A burning desire to keep
Clinging to what one has
Focused on losing
Fueled by a sense of retaining control
Rooted in anxious fear
This lack of faith does not emerge from a vacuum. Unhealthy family dynamics, emotional trauma, personal tragedies, unanswered prayers, and many other factors can lead you to a place of doubt instead of faith.
While these factors may explain us, they don’t excuse us, because no matter the severity of the temptation, God always provides us with an escape route (1 Cor. 10:13).
1. To heal us, we must ask the Spirit of God to show us in a personal way that God is trustworthy enough to provide for our needs according to His riches in glory.
3. Finally, bring these idols to Jesus, with a prayer of repentance and a request for deliverance. He is a specialist in freeing us from the bondages and strongholds. As you do this, then ask him to address whatever your needs are in His way and time.
4. These actions are part and parcel of a life of faith. Repeat them as many times as needed, for the Bible tells us that “the just shall live by faith” (Rom. 1:17).
