"I NEVER Win Anything!"

"I am happy for her!" Joshua sputtered as big raindrop tears poured from his eyes.

My son, who normally rejoices with other's victories, had a tough time last night. We went to dinner to hang out with Bill, our new 84 year old friend, who lost his wife a few years ago to cancer. While we ate, the restaurant did a drawing for a free bike.

Joshua's eyes grew with excitement. Lights flickered on and off. Time for the drawing. The place was packed with eager children in every booth.

"Sommer...Is there a Sommer in the house...woot woot!" The announcer hooted.

"Sommer, you won!" We all started shouting and pointing in her direction. Sommer beamed.

But, while his sister beamed, Joshua lost his excitement. He tried to smile, but He just couldn't do it.

Time for parenting 101 again. My comforting hug didn't help too much. Joshua couldn't overcome his disappointment and exclaimed, "It's just I never win anything!"

I tried to console him, "That's not true, Son."

"Name one time I have ever won anything." Joshua persisted.

"I shared of lollipop drawings and balls he'd won at church camp." But, nothing helped.

Finally, daddy took him aside and worked his magic. Still not sure what he said, but Joshua came back beaming and doing high fives!

Once again, I learned lessons about my own struggles through my children. Sometimes, watching my "brother's and sisters" get somethingI really wanted stings worse than if a stranger had won it. Sometimes, I want to rejoice but inwardly cave; "Why do they always win? I never win anything."

I try to reason with myself to NO avail. I wallow in defeat until my Father works his power, and reminds me of the truth.

James 3:14-16 declares a powerful message; it says, "But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice."

Check out Verse 15; it is so powerful. "Do not boast about it or deny the truth."

James highlights human tendency. Sometimes, when I am disappointed, I "boast" about my feelings. I go on and on about how I drew the short end of the stick. I wallow in pity, wondering why my "sister" always seems to get what she wants, but I never do.

Or, sometimes, I try to "deny the truth" of my feelings. I stuff them away. I hide my tears. I try to pretend I don't envy "her success." James hits it square on, saying, "Such wisdom does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual," and yikes, "of the devil."

So, what do we do with disappointment? What do we do with envy? What do we do with selfish ambition?

1. Don't boast about our feelings. Don't justify them. Justifying envy only produces more envy.
2. Don't deny our feelings. Don't pretend they aren't there. If toxic waste is in our garden, pretending it's not there doesn't make it go away. Eating its produce would produce death.
3. Instead, we should take our feeling to our Father, the only One Who can help! Be honest about our feelings and ask Him to change them. And, because of WHO HE IS, He helps us think clearly and come back wholeheartedly smiling and giving high fives.

James 3:17-18 says, "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness." (NIV)

Friends, let's rejoice with our "brothers and sisters" when they WIN! Why, because it's all in the family, and when we rejoice from our heart it raises a "harvest of righteousness."

PRAYER: Father thank You for Your blessing and Your favor. Thank You that You have given us everything we need that pertains to life and godliness. BLESS my brothers and sisters with every good and perfect gift! We love You. Grant us Your continued favor! Forgive us where we've been selfish and empower us to rejoice with our family and never envy Your gifts to them!