Heart of an AthleteSample

Defeating Jealousy

Set
Jealousy can destroy a team. A lot of it comes from outside people saying, “You can do this and you can do that” or “the only reason you can’t do it is because that other player is getting two more shots than you are.”

It’s funny when you think about it, but that happens and then you start buying into it and you start saying, “Yeah, I should be playing more.” But whatever God has for you, you will have. Nobody else can take that away. If you’re not getting the playing time you should get or the recognition you should get, work harder. Don’t sit there and blame somebody else for what they’re doing.

You always hear the story about people who say, "I’m waiting for God to do something in my life" while they’re sitting on the couch at home. It’s hard for God to make a move if you’re not putting out the effort. Like Proverbs 14:23 states, "There is profit in all hard work, but endless talk leads only to poverty." –Tamika Catchings

Go
1. Can you describe a time when jealousy undermined one of your teams?
2. What are some typical sources of jealousy with which you have struggled? How did that jealousy impact your performance and the overall success of the team?
3. How does Proverbs 14:23 speak to those tempted to compare themselves to others?
Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-5. What does this Scripture suggest is the ultimate remedy for jealousy?

Workout
1 Corinthians 13:4-5; James 3:13-18; 1 Peter 2:1-3

Overtime
Lord, help me ward off jealousy with a strong work ethic and God-centered love and respect for my teammates. Amen.