Stumbling Block

Have you ever found yourself comparing yourself to someone else? You envy their house or their style or even their whole life! But then you take a step back and realize that they are in a completely different place in life than you are. Have you ever experienced the moment when inspiration turns to imitation? I have. I can answer yes to all of the above. 

I hate that our society deems it ok the envy and to covet what others have. Wether it be their body type, their home, their spouse, the fancy vacation they took or even their ability to have children. Why as women to we put ourselves through this? Why do we tear ourselves down to envy someone else? We are each unique and made for a specific purpose!

As a daughter of The King, I have a purpose and my place in life is exactly where He lead me. If I willed myself into having someone else's home or life then I would miss out on the moments that God has clearly laid out for me. I have been in that moment where I would trade anything for someone else's home, body type and to be honest I have envied those who are able to get pregnant! I have also had the moment of conviction. The conviction that God did not lead me to live a jealous life but instead to be thankful for all of the blessings He has already given me. 

I see the imperfections in my life. The ones that don't make it in pretty blog or IG photos. I know the mess that lies just beyond the camera lens. But y'all don't see that. I might be in the place of disdain toward something in my life, but one of you could be in the place of envy of that same thing! I want to assure you that my life isn't perfect, my home isn't perfect! Do you know what is perfect? Gods plan for my life and for your life. He allow us to envy and to covet so that we can come to the place of conviction. If we never envied, then we would never grow spiritually. 

In the moment when you feel jealously or envy creep up into your life, take some time to stop and tell The Lord what you are thankful for! Put down the phone and walk away from social media if it beings to bring up ungodly feelings. When you are consumed by thankfulness and a grateful heart for the things He has provided for you, then it is hard to be jealous of others earthy possessions. 

I want to be 100% clear on this next statement. I am not trying to preach and portray to you that I am perfect and never envy, because that would be a lie. I am struggling with these same feelings, and I want to share them with y'all as a means of accountability. I hope that these words will reach those of you out there that need to hear them. I am praying for you and I am praying that this blog will not be a stumbling block but instead a place of encouragement. 

Here are some verses about envy- write them down, keep them on your phone. Put them in a place that will keep you accountable and will keep your heart free from envy. 

Proverbs 14:30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.

James 3:14-16 But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descends not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

Song of Solomon 8:6 Set me as a seal on your heart, as a seal on your arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which has a most vehement flame.

I want y'all to be able to come to this blog and be inspired, but no envious. I want y'all to feel encouraged and uplifted not torn down or inferior. If you have ever felt that in the words and photos of this blog then I am truly sorry. I want to change that!