The fastest way to turn a beautiful person ugly? Watch that person become jealous. We all have experienced jealousy in our lifetime. Their stuff is better, their body is better, they have more money, more power, more friends...
Our jealousy is a window into our own insecurities. We size ourselves up against others and measure out our self worth. We base our happiness on how we look, what we have, who we are married to, the list goes on!
As we get older, part of the maturing process is to understand that we are all given gifts and talents and abilities that make us unique. Judging ourselves based on anything other than what is God-given is not healthy.
Jealousy turned into actions and words is sour grapes. It becomes obvious, very quickly, that adults who covet other people's earthly things, are struggling with their own self image. They may even fixate on them it to the point of mental instability. A prayer for those who are struggling:
Lord, one of your commandments given to humans early on is to not covet our neighbor. This is so hard to do! Please direct my attention to the beauty and loveliness that is mine. Teach me to cultivate and magnify the gifts you have given me. Strike the harsh words and thoughts from my mind that are perpetuated by the ugliness of jealousy. You alone are the jealous one, and Jesus alone is the one we should strive to be more like! AMEN
James 3:14-16
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