jealousy

Jealousy comes from comparison, discontent, and false perceptions. It leads to further discontent, bitterness, and even broken relationships. Mom-to-mom jealousy is an ever-increasing problem, especially as we connect with each other over social media, which is ideal for sharing only pieces of our lives, increasing our false perceptions of each other. Additionally, we have more and more exposure to "expert" monologues about what we are doing as moms to ruin our children. It's a perfect storm, and we need to guard ourselves lest we fall into jealousy (and all that entails).

I have seen rants lately that people present false images of themselves online, intentionally, to cause other people to be jealous of them. From where I sit, the cause of the jealousy is not the action of the sharer, but the response of the viewer. As viewers, we can put an end to comparison and jealousy. We can't control what other people post, pin, or share. We can control how we respond to it.

Reality Check

The first step is to realize that what we are jealous of is probably a fantasy. We see other people's perfect children, perfect meals, perfect bodies, perfect wardrobes, perfect homes, perfect lives. We think to ourselves that we are clearly Failing At Life and begin to become jealous of these people who seem to have it all together. The ridiculous thing is that the perfection we perceive isn't real. We make ourselves jealous of a fantasy by imagining what we think these people's lives are like.

Contentment

The second step is finding contentment in what we have. And what is that? For we who are in Christ, everything.

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
2 Peter 1:3

then the Almighty will be your gold and your precious silver. For then you will delight yourself in the Almighty and lift up your face to God.
Job 22:25-26

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:11-13

But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
1 Timothy 6:6-10

Focus

Finally, we need to shift our focus. If we find ourselves entertaining feelings of jealousy, we are not abiding in Christ. We need to turn our attention back to Him, and we need to remember to seek first the Kingdom.

But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?
1 Corinthians 3:1-3

For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Matthew 6:33-34

linking up with Mamas Tell All - Fighting the Green-Eyed Monster