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Even if you don't have jealous temperament, jealousy can creep up on you without your realizing it—especially as you struggle with all the questions infertility raises. Let's say a friend who married only three years ago calls to tell you that she's pregnant. How would you feel? On the surface, you'd probably smile and say something nice. But underneath, although you love that friend dearly, you'd have to be the angel Gabriel not to be the least bit jealous. Why does it come so easily for others, and not for you? you wonder.

That's when it's good to read the story of Rachel, who was so jealous of Leah, her sister, that she took steps around God's plan for her. Rachel didn't want to wait, so she assigned her maidservant to have sex with her husband to produce a child that Rachel could call hers. Although that action did produce a child, it also spawned an atmosphere of "one-upmanship" between the two sisters. In the end, Rachel's impulsive actions and jealousy shortcircuited God's perfect plan for her.

Are you shortcircuiting God's perfect plan for you in your impatience? (See also Genesis 18; 1-15; 21:1-7; Genesis 25:20-26; Genesis 30:1-8; 1 Samuel 1:5-20.)

Good Words to Remember:
Rachel envied her sister, and said to Jacob, "Give me children, or else I die!" Genesis 30:1

Today's Challenge:
As you wait, do you struggle with jealousy toward others who are already parents? If so, how can you put that jealousy into a proper perspective?

Bible Studies on Parenting and Family