I want people to know they are not alone. I want Christ followers to know that even when you follow Him sin is still a struggle.
A friend of mine is buying a new house. A house in a neighborhood I love. A house that has everything (I think) mine is missing. A house that is stunning, huge, it’s a house of HGTV dreams. I will be honest my gut reaction wasn’t to rejoice for her, my gut reaction was comparison. My gut reaction was a bit of bitterness. I even set my phone down and didn’t “like” her post. I let sin in. I let comparison rob the joy of rejoicing for her and with her. Instead of congratulating her, I “walked away” and stewed in my sin by putting my phone down.
The Holy Spirit living within me pointed at my sin with a firm finger wag. I felt sick about it. I felt icky about the jealousy, I felt disgusted by my bitterness. I prayed, I confessed my sin of jealousy, I confessed my lack of contentment in my own beautiful home, and I asked God to fill me with joy where bitterness exists. I thanked God for the home He has enabled us to have.
A couple hours later I picked my phone back up and I looked through those beautiful house pictures again. I looked with a smile instead of with contempt. I looked with congratulations instead of comparison. I commented and messaged how excited I was for her to move into such a beautiful home. I felt peace, I looked around my own lovely home and realized how thankful I am to have a roof over my head and warmth around me. I felt peace and I was able to truly rejoice with my friend.
It’s normal to feel these feelings. It’s normal to still fall victim to sin even after you decide to follow Christ. Sin comes in so many forms, regardless of the form it takes sin can breed resentment, bitterness, and contempt. If you recognize the sin bring it God. No sin is too small, bring it to Him, He will remove it from your heart if you confess.
Congratulating her felt good. Rejoicing with her gave me peace in my spirit. I felt joy for her and I felt good within myself. Sin wants you to feel far from God, but God says “bring it to me and I will give you peace”.
James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins and pray so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.