Envy Again!

At 17 years of age, Joseph tended sheep with his brothers. The young man was working with the sons of abilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives, and he brought a bad report about them to their father.
Now Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons because Joseph was a son born to him in his old age, and he made a robe of many colours for him. When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not bring themselves to speak peaceably to him. Genesis 37:1-4

Envy again! It comes up a lot doesn't it? As Christians we have Christ's Spirit in us to help with this nasty beast. As with anything that besets us we have to rely on the Holy Spirit to give us the victory, we are unable to do it ourselves.

On the surface we could say: ' Jacob should not have favoured Joseph; Joseph should have not dobbed on his brothers' but would it have mattered? I know that I will eventually upset most people in my world at some time and vice versa. It is how we handle the upset that is important. Last night I wrote about a friend who had upset me but later I regretted what I said and therefore changed it today. I tried to call her and discuss the matter, probably the best first step. As she lived down south in Victoria,  I don't see her anymore and always I prefer to talk face to face.

What upsets most is the lack of heart. Today I did some pro-bono work for a cancer council client. This poor lady is struggling with cancer and went to Centrelink( the government agency for financial aid) for help. The woman she talked to looked down on her with disdain and treated her abominably. I became quite cross and wanted to sort things out. Tonight I came home and cried and then felt more able to assist. I have noting, absolutely nothing to complain about as my load is easy and this lady has recently lost her spouse and has two disabled sons. I told the woman I had been praying for her. She said she knew someone was looking after her. My God is good!

Hating and not being able to speak is pretty aweful! I can't stay angry and I don't like how hatred makes me feel, even if I hate unrighteousness. Not good!

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