March 17,2011 - Acts 17:5

“But the Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd. Acts 17:5.
For three Sabbaths, Paul proclaimed the good news concerning Jesus in the synagogue at Thessalonica. Some of the Jews at the synagogue became followers of Christ. There were others, though, who did not like what they were hearing and they were jealous of Paul and his ability to convince fellow Jews to follow Jesus. They formed an angry crowd and came after Paul. They acted on their jealousy by attempting to get rid of Paul and Silas by any means that they could.
Jealousy was a distinct problem that I struggled with, particularly in dating relationships. When those feelings of jealousy rose up within me, I usually said or did things that I regretted later. I was claiming territorial rights over people and in areas that I had no right to control. The Jews, too, where claiming territorial rights over their fellow Jews, and they acted on their jealousy with destructive anger. Instead of latching onto people, as if to control them, it is my goal to approach people openhandedly, placing them into the hands of the One who cares deeply for them.
Questions to consider: Do you have, or remember having, feelings of jealousy? If those feelings rise up in you, how do you deal with them? Have those feelings led you into any actions or statements that you later regretted? How can you avoid this from happening?
Prayer: Father, forgive me for acting out on feelings of jealousy. Help me find appropriate ways to openhandedly love those who I might feel jealous of. Amen.