ManageYourEmotionsBook8.5x5.5_RevJULY.indd

2 The Jeopardy of Jealousy

“Wrath is fierce and anger is a flood, but who can stand before jealousy?” (Proverbs 27:4).

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O nce upon a time there were two shopkeepers who owned and operated stores directly across the street from one another. Bitter rivals, they would carefully track each oth- er’s business, as well as their own. If one made a sale, he would smile triumphantly at his competitor. One night an angel appeared to one of the men in a dream and said, “I will give you anything you ask, but whatever you receive, you competitor will receive twice as much.Would you be rich?You can be very rich, but he will be twice as wealthy. Do you wish to live a long and healthy life?You can, but his life will be longer and healthi- er.What is your desire?” He pondered for a moment, then respond- ed, “Here is my request: Strike me blind in one eye!” 5 According to Scripture, “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick,” (Jeremiah 17:9). Perhaps jealously, which has been called the most dangerous emotion on earth, depicts this more than any other human passion gone amok. No wonder

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