Fight Jealousy with Gratitude

"Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?" -Proverbs 27:4

Have you ever come across a person who just seems to "have it all?" They seemingly have the perfect life, with the perfect friends, perfect family,  the perfect home, perfect cars, and perfect career to back it all up. We all know someone we may think has the perfect life, but something to keep in mind is that you are only seeing a small portion of how they actually live. Despite all of the apparent outter whealth, the truth may be that they really feel empty, alone, or too stressed out on the inside to even enjoy what they have. The point I am trying to make is to learn not to let jealousy get the best of you. The best way to combat jealousy is to focus on all the wonderful things in your life. If you want to be miserable, then keep comparing yourself to others; you'll never be happy. If you want to enjoy life as it was meant to be enjoyed, start by showing appretiation and gratitude for the things you do have. I love what Max Ehrman says about comparing ourselves to others, "If you compare yourself to others, you may become vain and bitter, for there will always be a greater and lesser persons than yourself."

You see, making comparisons leads to a false sense of identity and will either result in your pride becoming over-inflated, or your self-esteem completely diminishing. You can be pro-active by choosing not to compare yourself to others, as well as practicing gratitude. Gratitude, as I have learned over the years, is an extremely important factor of our mental well-being and true happiness. It makes sense that if you focus on what you don't have, you will feel bad, but if you focus on what you do have, you will feel good. Scientific studies confirm the power and importance of gratitude as well. By practicing gratitude by making a gratitude list every morning, and reviewing it every evening, you will be putting yourself in a perpetual mindset of thanksgiving and joy will overwhelm you. So instead of coveting, getting jealous, or being upset that you aren't "keeping up with the Jones,'" practice gratitude and you will combat all of those negative feelings. Practice gratitude, and you will experience a higher quality and appretiation for life and living!

"Every morning tell Him thank you for Your kindness, and every evening rejoice in all His faithfulness." -Psalm 92:1-2

For-Giving and For-Getting

I've learned that there are some people in life who like to try to do whatever they can to make your life miserable. It can be a co-worker, boss, family member, or even so-called friend. Something to keep in mind is that miserable people try to make others feel miserable too, whereas happy people try to do whatever they can to build-up and be uplifting to others. So instead of getting angry and looking for a way to "get back" at them, have pity and see that their actions are a result of their own suffering, misery, or jealousy.

I recently watched an interview between Oprah and author of the #1 National-selling book, Illuminata: A Return to Prayer, Marianne Williamson. In the interview, Williamson discussed the utter importance of loving and praying for our "enemies." Some of you may be thinking, "What?! How am I supposed to love let alone pray for those who have hurt me?!" But Williamson talked about the importance of doing so because of the "alchemy" or "balance" that will occur. Either one of two things will happen when you love, bless, and pray for those who have hurt you. Either:
1) You will see a difference in their behavior, or
2) You will no longer care because you will be so full of love, grace, and forgiveness.

Forgiveness, love, and grace towards those who have hurt us goes against our very human nature. Human nature seeks vengence. Human nature wants to get even! But

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"The Climb"

This poem is in conjunction with my last post on "failing foward." It was written by my highly supportive and encouraging dad, Dr. Bruce Bell.




"Each step up the mountain of life, the top we fail to reach.

But each step brings us closer to what our climb will teach:

That with life's repeated failures we need not be distressed,

but realize that with each step forward, our last step brings success."

"Fail Foward"

Sometimes, in life we are not always were we want to be. Things may seem to be taking longer than they should be, dreams may appear to be delayed or even failed, and everything just seems to be moving too slowly. You might feel "stuck" in a certain situation, or even like you've failed at accomplishing certain tasks. Well, I'm here to tell you that despite what it may seem like on an external plane, that God has you exactly where He wants you. Despite what may appear to be delays in accomplishing your goals are really just character-building steps that are leading you closer and closer to accomplishing your dreams. So don't get frustrated, discouraged, or distraught when things don't seem to be going your way or as you had planned. Instead, thank God things are not going your way! Because His way and His plans for your life are so much greater than anything you could have planned or done on your own! Just keep being patient, keep perservering, and don't give up! You may be right around the corner from a breakthrough. But, until then, "keep your eyes on the prize." Work with the end goal in mind; imagine the feeling of accomplishing that goal. If things don't seem to be going right, if you feel like a failure, then get excited! Why? Because God loves using people who may consider themselves inadequate or unsuccessful and using them to show His adequacy, His success, His power, and strength to do something so completely beyond what they considered possible.


When you feel like a failure, remind yourself of all the other people before you that "failed foward." Thomas Edison made 1,000 unsuccessful attempts at inventing the light bulb. When asked about it, Edison said, "I have not failed 1,000 times. I have successfully discovered 1,000 ways to NOT make a light bulb." He didn't see his failed attempts as ultimate sentences of failure. Instead, he saw his unsuccessful attempts all as stepping stones bringing him closer and closer to his end goal: The light bulb. Because Edison did not give up after the 10th, 50th, even 500th attempt, we now have light accessible to us whenever we need it. Think about the impact your goals could possibly have on society, or the world, if you don't give up and keep pursuing your God-given dreams. There is no limit to what you can do when God is on your side. "Failure" is not final. Failure is only failure when you give up, everything else just means you are one step closer to accomplishing your dreams.


"But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!" (Habakkuk 2:3 TLB).

Follow Your God-Given Dream

God has given each of us a special dream or vision of what we would like our lives to look like. He's imputed within each of us a purpose to make an impact in this world for the better. Each and every one of us has been hand-crafted, uniquely designed with a specific purpose that only we can fulfill because we were created for it! God may have put a dream in your heart that, to the outside world, may seem completely ridiculous or even impossible. Something I've learned however, is that nothing is impossible for God. If you've let go of your God-given dream because it seems too unatainable, know that the God you serve holds the universe in the palm of His hand. He gave you that dream for a reason! It is attainable! God is more for you than you are for yourself! With Him on your side, nothing is impossible!


Start taking action today towards your God-given dream.  Every large goal starts with one, small and minute action. No matter how large your goal may be, take one step at a time, only looking at the step right in front of you--soon enough you will see your dream come to pass!

He will guide you

"Many are the plans in a human heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21


Time and time again, both history and experience prove that when we trust in God, He will never fail to show us the right path to take. For teens (and young adults) especially, deciding what career path to take, what college to go to, and what to do with life in general can be extremely stressful and overwhelming without the right perspective.
 The Bible tells us that "success comes from God, (2 Corinthians 3:5)" that "God is the one who promotes, He brings a person down and exhalts another. (Pslam 75:6)"
When we put Him first in our lives, He blesses us in ways like never before (Matt. 6:33). So my friends, if you have  been worrying about what to do in life, what direction and path to take, keep looking to God and asking Him for instruction. He will direct you and give your life amazing purpose and meaning!


"Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6