Our Daily Bread for 28 February 2022 – Celebrate Parties

serenity lengthens life; But jealousy destroys it. [Proverbs 14:30]

Writer Marilyn McEntyre tells of an acquaintance who suffered from a physical disability and chronic pain. This prevented her from developing her talents the way she wished. Nevertheless, her motto was: “The opposite of envy is celebration.” She managed to radiate joy and celebrate with others until her death. Every encounter with her made you emerge stronger.

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The thought – “the opposite of envy is celebration” – can’t let me go and reminds me of people in my life who radiate this kind of joy that doesn’t have to be compared to others, but is deep and genuine.

Envy or jealousy catch up with us quickly. They grow on our deep-seated hurts, wounds, and fears, whispering to us that if we were just like so-and-so, we’d be better off.

Peter warns the young believers in 1 Peter 2 that the only way to separate from the lies that envy tells us is to be rooted in the truth, to know how kind the Lord is (vv -3). We can “love one another with all our hearts” (1:22) when we know the true source of our joy—the eternal Word of God (verse 23).

We can let the comparison come to mind when we consider who we really are—a “chosen people…God’s…personal possession” whom he “called out of darkness into his marvelous light” (2:9).

What helps you stop comparing yourself to others? Which people are an example for you?
Loving God, source of all good, help me not to listen to the enemy’s lies, lies that want to rob me of my joy. Instead, help me celebrate the many beautiful things you give me.