‘Strike me blind in one eye!’

Scripture for today: Proverbs 27:4.

Once 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 other’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 healthier. What is your desire?"

The man pondered for a moment, then responded, "Here is my request: Strike me blind in one eye!"

Jealousy has been called the most dangerous emotion on earth. No wonder Solomon wrote,“Wrath is fierce and anger is a flood, but who can stand before jealousy?” (Proverbs 27:4). Jealousy must be acknowledged and repented of before it leads to dysfunction, destruction, and even death. Only God can help you defeat what Shakespeare called a “green-eyed monster.”

This devotion is based from Gaddis’ book “Manage Your Emotions.”