It’s been a discouraging week. The offer on the house was not what I had hoped. I’m spinning my wheels at work. The death of a friend has weighed on my heart and mind. And I allowed envy to stir up feelings of inadequacy that magnified my discouragement. In short, my thought life was polluted.

The source of my envy was work related. A small PR agency won a new account – an account that I have long thought would be a fun client for me. I sent a note of congratulations to the principals of the firm, wishing them well. But the thoughts festered – why did they get the account? why does everyone else seem to get ahead? what am I doing wrong? Blah, blah, blah.

Downward Spiral
My thoughts spiraled downward. I began questioning my abilities as a PR person and writer. Everybody else is better than me. I’m not as successful because I am meek not tenacious. Maybe I should change careers and start over. More blah.

Then I continued on thinking that trying to sell my house is too hard. I don’t have the patience. I should just be content where I am. Why do I want to take on the responsibilities of a hobby farm? Am I really going to be able to afford such a move? More blah.

Listening to the Wrong Voice
Isn’t it sad how we let Satan influence our thinking? He got the best of me this week, planting seeds of envy, doubt and discouragement. I fixated on his words for me rather than God’s word. I was caught in a whirlwind of negativity with no process for interrupting that thought pattern. God bless those people who tried to talk me down.

This morning in my quiet time, God spoke to me. He interrupted my destructive pattern with Psalm 37:

8 Stop being angry!
Turn from your rage!
Do not lose your temper—
it only leads to harm.
9 For the wicked will be destroyed,
but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land.
10 Soon the wicked will disappear.
Though you look for them, they will be gone.
11 The lowly will possess the land
and will live in peace and prosperity.

Photo courtesy of The Pioneer Woman

“Do not envy, it only leads to harm.” That was true for me this week.

“Those who trust in the Lord will possess the land.” Trusting in him and his timing, maybe I will get that hobby farm.

“The lowly will possess the land and will live in peace and prosperity.” Even though I may not be as aggressive or assertive as others, God will provide for me – peace and prosperity – I will possess the land. What a promise to cling to today.

God gave me just what I needed this morning. Has he spoken to you through his word or through others lately?