About the Author

Dorina is an author, speaker, teacher, foodie, and trail runner. She helps people chase God's glory down unexpected trails and flourish in their callings. Her most recent books are Breathing Through Grief and Chasing God's Glory. Dorina and her hubby Shawn are raising three courageous daughters in Central California.

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. Dorina,
    While I was reading your post, I thought of the scripture in Exodus wherein God describes Himself as a “jealous” God. By that He means that He wants our FULL commitment and devotion, not some half-hearted, lukewarm, allegiance. When I get jealous or envious, I try to remember Who is wanting my attention….kind of like jealousy and envy are “red flags” that I need to refocus. Sometimes I think the enemy really uses social media to draw us into the comparison game. We need to be wary as it can be dangerous territory. For me, the best counter attack to the green-eyed monster is gratitude. Like you, I keep a gratitude journal and it really helps to combat the scarcity mindset and to remind me of just how abundant is God’s lovingkindness toward me. Excellent post!
    Blessings,
    Bev xx

  2. Dorina,
    I recently ie last week was reject for two jobs in the one day. One of the jobs I was sure was what God wanted for me and I was crushed when I came down to the last two. I need to step back and let go which is getting easier and give it to the Lord. My relationship with him and gaining discernment of his plan for me is far more important. My sister in law got elected on to council and I am so happy for her.

    I had to be quick to change my mindset when thoughts appeared that I knew instinctively would lead down a path of envy or jealousy! I truly am happy for her and thanked God for this blessing.

    Picking out all the things in my life yo be grateful for to God and definitely not leaning on my own understanding here! It’s hard though when you really want a job and it’s not in Gods plan. It hurt. I really cried! Praying for discernment! Thank you for your post and amazing example you have set for your daughters and us!

    Jas

  3. Dorina, To Bask in His Abundance is key here as you have worded so well. I found myself longing for a place to call my own this past weekend as I perused a thrift store and found a framed picture I told myself I would hang up someday when I owned my own home. Those thoughts only led me down a path of discontent for what I already had. When I returned home that day I was reminded I had been given abundance by just the very breath I breathe. I wish I could say I had overcome and combated those thoughts of longing, however I’m grateful for the reminder of what I already had in abundance. It’s a daily mindset when we get the privilege to say Thank You Lord in all circumstances.

  4. Counting my blessings is one of my best tools for combating jealousy. Never really thought about the differences between jealousy and envy. When jealousy happens, I think it would be helpful to ask myself what I am afraid of losing. Acknowledging my fears and naming them reduces them. Thanks for this encouragement.

  5. Aah social media… a blessing and a curse. I recently retired from the workforce, and then had to cancel my first planned trip due to family illness. I’m currently caring for my mother in a rehab center for nearly 2 months now following a fall, while my brother is staying at a hospital in another city caring for his wife who crashed following aggressive chemo treatments that killed her immune system and vital organs. Praise God for sparing her life, but she still has a long road to recovery.
    I do get a little envious when I see my friends posting about their travels and fun outings. This is not how I envisioned my retirement. At the same time, I have settled into a routine and am focused on enjoying the time I have with my 88 year old mom who also has dementia, realizing that all too soon the day will come when I will long for one more day to spend with her. So for this season the nursing/rehab center is my mission field. I’m learning to love the precious souls there. God is blessing me and teaching me in this season. There is much to be grateful for, even if it doesn’t look like I envisioned.

    • Gail, it’s so hard when life doesn’t turn out as we imagined or dreamed. I certainly get that. I love the way you are seeing God’s work even right where you are. God be with you as you minister in that rehab center!

    • wonderfully written ! I think thankfulness always overtakes jealousy or envy. we all have things to be thankful for and time with family in any circumstance is one !

  6. Dorina, thank you for this reminder of how jealous and envious thoughts can steal our joy. Thank you for your suggestions on how to combat these feelings. I am a work in progress, as always. I suppose we all are, in one way or another. May you be blessed!

  7. Dorina,

    Satan is getting more crafty daily. He is using social media to lure us away from Christ & into a sense of jealousy & envy. He wants us to desire the world’s stuff. Making it all look so good. He makes us think we have to work long hours, many days to achieve & have it all. When in the end it is nothing but rubbish. For that reason I don’t do much social media. So easy to fall into that trap of his. Like you a make a thankful journal often. Listing everything from Home in Heave, Sins forgiven to small things like paper clips, & everything in between. Doing that erases the scarcity mindset. You realize how blessed you are. This world needs to bask in the love, greatness & generosity of our God!

    Blessings 🙂

    • So true! It’s important for us to have boundaries. I’m grateful for the many ways social media has connected me to people, but I have to be on guard of how the Enemy uses it to stir up envy and jealousy. I’m glad you see it too!

  8. thankyou for this wonderful write up. I believe women struggle with jealousy and envy. I had 4 friends dump me after coming to my new house…i was humble and simply had tea but they made comment after comment about the house. they couldn’t get over the blessing I was given.
    I was on Facebook years ago and seen so many bashing each other or the fake ” look at my perfect life” portrait. I was never so happy as the day I deleted the account an d spent more time living my real life..not looking in on others lives.
    I honestly believe thankfulness is the key to not having greed..envy..strife or jealousy.

    • Krissy, thank you for sharing your story. It’s so difficult to navigate. I’ve lived in plenty and poverty myself and I’m always surprised at both God’s provision and people’s reactions. I’m glad you’ve discovered the power of thankfulness!

      • I think people’s reaction to blessing remains the same as Joseph’s brothers who were jealous of his gifting . I find it common to see people’s envy when they see another do well even in the church.
        thankfulness in our lives even for the small things keeps us happy and humble so we don’t treat others bad when we see them get a blessing.
        I have lived with lots and with nothing so have seen both sides ..

  9. I have found all these comments truly inspiring and just what I needed to hear. My circumstances are quite different and difficult as I see Christian couples doing what I would love my husband and I to be doing but he is not a believer and I have followed this road for many many years!
    Thank you for reminding me of what I do have ! And to be grateful
    God bless you.

    • Hi Susan! I am praying for you as I have been there too. Keep prayin g and trusting. I know it is so hard, but God can change anyone’s heart in His time.

    • Susan, thank you for sharing your story. I’m praying for you today. May God give you eyes to see His unique gifts just for you in each day! And praying for your husband to know Him soon!