As a gardener, I understand the need to let some of my herbs go to seed in the autumn season. The once green, edible plant produces seeds, then becomes brown, and dies with the winter chill. But that seed or seeds have the kernel inside, drops to the fertile soil, and with the right conditions will produce another herb plant. Every year I have voluntary lettuce or basil emerge from the cold soil. Sometimes seeds are intentional gathered to be sown into the fertile soil. Burkee, Seed Savers, and the like make a profit with seed gathering. Yes, undesirable weeds survive with the same process. But the point is something has to die to produce more life, plentiful life. “Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” John 12:24
Jesus Christ is our example for the Christian life. He lost His life, so that all of us could live eternally. So what have you lost? What have you lost to only gain more later? Sometimes much later, maybe in the next life. “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.” Philippians 3:8.
Can you be happy for those who win, even if it is like all the time? At some place or season in your friend’s or brother’s life, they lost, too. “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15. This is how we conquer our insecurities and jealousy. Don’t compare your life to your brother’s. “To everything, there is a season.” Ecclesiastes 3:1
Racing along, this project done, another one or two started, excellent customer service given, that word of encouragement shared, another homemade dinner made with leftovers for the week, and then I stop short. Sometimes fall short. Sickness does that to me. Not just my sickness, but the news that one of my children or another loved one is sick can put me at a complete halt, worry with frenzy or analyze the problem until I am exhausted. Neither accomplish what is desired, complete healing even from cancer. God is so gracious to me, to each of us. His Word says, “for though a righteous man falls seven times, he will rise again” (Proverbs 24:16).
Woman Warrior 