They say jealousy can be legitimate and reasonable. But I couldn't see how. I wasn't a jealous person and for me it was a sign of insecurity, nothing more nothing less. In fact it was difficult for me to believe that such could be felt by God. It made no sense at all that an an all-powerful and sovereign God would be insecure. It was absurd. But as I read through the verses and the stories behind God's jealousy, I came to terms that indeed there is righteous jealousy. It was exactly what my husband felt all along. He was jealous of the people and things I prioritized over him. Like the Israelites, I focused on his failures and became blinded to the best in him, failing to see his achievements, forgetting his track record and his wonderful displays of love in the past for me. I bragged, boasted and gloated on my abilities and my feats. I blamed him for not delivering when in fact I was the one who drove that huge wedge between us. The same insecurity I detested from him was in fact my own creation. I brewed his jealousy by thinking so highly of myself and of him way beneath me What a fool, I was! This dare was truly an eye-opener for me and it put me in a place of humility.
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Lord, my actions in the past have been those of a proud one, causing my husband legitimate reasons to be jealous and even worse, dismissing his insecurities as invalid and unwarranted. Instead of being his primary cheerleader and his champion, I have made decisions that led him to resent me. These egotistic decisions caused a domino effect--steadily, silently and unwittingly infecting my relationship in the process. Forgive me, Father. Guide me instead, that my actions be the catalysts of celebrations and not envy, humility and not pride, security and not jealousy. Avert me from competing with my spouse, teach me to celebrate his success and not resent it and block whatever negativity I may feel, exude or trigger in my marriage. Amen.
Love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire.
-- Song of Solomon 8:6
Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?
~~ Proverbs 27:4
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Lord, my actions in the past have been those of a proud one, causing my husband legitimate reasons to be jealous and even worse, dismissing his insecurities as invalid and unwarranted. Instead of being his primary cheerleader and his champion, I have made decisions that led him to resent me. These egotistic decisions caused a domino effect--steadily, silently and unwittingly infecting my relationship in the process. Forgive me, Father. Guide me instead, that my actions be the catalysts of celebrations and not envy, humility and not pride, security and not jealousy. Avert me from competing with my spouse, teach me to celebrate his success and not resent it and block whatever negativity I may feel, exude or trigger in my marriage. Amen.
Love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire.
-- Song of Solomon 8:6
Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?
~~ Proverbs 27:4