Genesis 30:1-2 When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob any children, she became jealous of her sister. So she said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I’ll die!”
Repeated disappointments, long periods of waiting, social stigma and shame are some of the root causes of insecurities which can lead to anxiety, eating disorders, chronic fatigue and depression. It spirals as envy, comparison, touchiness and irritability.
INSECURITY breeds JEALOUSY / JEALOUSY creates ENVY / ENVY causes self-destruction / a hater is made up of all three.
Jealousy and envy are generally used as synonyms however, “Jealousy” when someone feels “threatened, protective, or fearful of losing one’s position or situation to someone else.” But “Envy” on the other hand is “the painful feeling of wanting what someone else has, like attributes or possessions.”
Rachel not only struggled with jealousy but jealousy took root and became envy. The deep seeded envy in Rachel made her extremely insecure. Those who are insecure will try to find security in something or someone. Rachel could not get the pampering she expected from Jacob. Jacob reacted angrily to her comparison and complaining. Jacob became angry with her and said, “Am I in the place of God, who has kept you from having children?” (vs 2). Hence she resorted to her father’s idols to hide her dysfunction and insecurity. Rachel stole her father’s household gods (Genesis 31:19b). Ultimately, she died during childbirth (probably over bleeding) shortly after.
Comments and conversation will reveal the insecurity hidden in a person’s heart. Even on her deathbed, Rachel spoke doom over her newborn. As she breathed her last—for she was dying—she named her son Ben-Oni. But his father named him Benjamin (Genesis 35:18). Ben-Oni means ‘Son of Sorrow’ but Jacob renamed him as Benjamin meaning ‘Son of My Right Hand’.
Insecurity kills your personality, priorities and purpose. Insecurity is self-destructive. All of us experience bouts of insecurity at different circumstances, however, it is important to identify and obliterate jealousy, envy and insecurity. If insecurity is not dealt with it can lead to emotional instability, substance abuse, physical or psychological abuse and even suicidal thoughts.
Overcoming Insecurity:
1. Comparison: Comparison should help us perform better and move higher, however if it intimidates us it will spin into insecurity that will tarnish our personality. Healthy comparison betters performance but unhealthy comparison breeds envy and insecurity.
2. Complaint: Constant complaining is the sting of insecurity. Replace complaints with compliments. Complaint looks at the glass as half empty but compliment looks at it as half full.
3. Clamour: Clamour, babbling, irritability stems from insecurity. Contentment calms down clamour. But godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Timothy 6:6). Contentment fosters from gratitude but clamour cannot be avoided when ingratitude festers the soul.
Nip jealousy in the bud and uproot envy before it embitters the soul with insecurity.
Our security is not in people, possessions or positions but in the Lord God, the creator of the heavens and the earth.
Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you.
Prayer: Father God, if there is any root of jealousy or envy I uproot it right now. You are my security and my shield. I will rest confidently on you. Amen.
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