Three things that hinder success

I devote the majority of my mornings to watching “Grey’s Anatomy” on Netflix and Hulu Plus and besides having an idea of what it’s like to work in a hospital, I’m learning so much more about human nature. I’m sure people tune in to catch up on the fictional lives of these beloved characters and are shocked, hurt or in love along with them. We attach ourselves to the lives of these characters and let our emotions sway to the beat of their drums. But the major emotions and characteristics the cast have are jealousy, lust, and pride.

Jealousy, lust, and pride are what motivates people to succeed — that’s what today’s culture promotes anyway. Those three emotions are as evil as they are ammo to drive you to succeed, to be above competition and failure, as some people may believe.

Having these three emotions can’t be a healthy thing. Jealousy is unlikeable and unattractive in a person and may break relationships. In the end, you just hurt yourself with the feeling of envy, and what’s productive about that? Lust can drive a person crazy. It overwhelms your mind and makes you infatuated with success. Once infatuated with success, you make sure nothing gets in the way of your “success.”

Now pride is the worst of all. Pride makes one ignore everything else but one’s own ambition. It’s not wrong to care for your own interests, in fact the Bible says: “each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4). It's important to remember others as you remember your interests. 

Humility is one of the most admired traits a person can have by God. God exalted Jesus after his humility because of His understanding of His place on Earth (Philippians 2:9). He opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (Proverbs 3:34).

Humility shows the humanity in people and encourages others to be a better them and to pursue something for themselves. With humility overcoming jealousy, lust, and pride, it strengthens a person’s confidence and skills.

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

— James 3:16

A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.

— Proverbs 14:30

Edited April 2021