Envy is a feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else’s possessions, qualities, or blessing. A desire to have a quality, possession, or other desirable thing belonging to someone else. The key phrase here is “someone else”, meaning envy is synonymous to covetousness. We all remember the scripture that says,
“You shall not covet [that is, selfishly desire and attempt to acquire] your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
EXODUS 20:17 AMP
God clearly asks us not to but it seems almost inevitable to not desire what belongs to another, especially if we do not have it. What’s most intriguing is that we envy those we love. To give instances,
- Your friend now seems to have everything all together, and you don’t.
- Your brother had a first class degree in a studied course in school and you, a second class.
- She seems to be loved by everyone but no one loves being around you.
- He’s so gifted and all you know how to do is, study.
The list goes on and on. Here are my thoughts,
Shelter Not The Thought.
Yes, the thought came up but do not entertain it. Entertaining these thoughts is you feeding and nurturing them to mature. Yes, envy matures to hate if nurtured, if meditated on. Cain’s decision to kill Abel was engendered by nurtured envy. You may say you’d never go as far as murder but you’re capable of murdering his/her societal appearance, career etc, by the things nurtured envy can make you do or say.
Deliberately Thank God.
The problem isn’t much with having these thoughts spring up, as with what we do when the thoughts do come. Learn to thank God truly for His timely blessing in the life of the person believing that His eyes are ever on you to bring yours as well. God searches our hearts and watches are response to things.
Be Content.
Godliness with contentment is great gain. You cannot have everything and do everything. Everyone has a personal race to run so stop watching another run his or her race. Face yours and finish well. Trust God enough to supply all you need and want while you run your race. I don’t mean you should be content and settle for mediocrity. I mean, be appreciative of where you are even while having faith for more.
Know That You’re enviable.
To give an instance, your friend is a talented dancer and you, a designer. You not being a dancer is perfectly ok. Uncle, you can’t be everything, lol. Be You! And be satisfied with that. You have something you’re good at as well that someone would love to learn and well if you don’t, start nurturing your own gifts. Discontent is great loss.
Refuse The Box.
All envy does is keep you in a box of bitterness, hate and unproductivity. Avoid that box today. Pray and God will help you out of it.
Focus on your self-development and not being envious of another self-develop. Today, choose to focus on what you have and can offer society. We all have something to offer. However, you may never give yours because you’re too busy hating.
Aunty, know that you can’t shine alone, lol. Celebrate the success of others. There’s enough room for everybody’s shine.
PS. please share if your friends need this.
The truth is envy destroys you from within. You become bitter as guile and your mind becomes clouded with what you desire yet not meant to aquire. And if the Holyspirit is not allowed to help you deal with it… your heart will always feel heavy and yet incomplete. Be grateful and thankful for what you have cos some one has less yet has joy that is indescribable. And you may want what someone else has but you ain’t even ready for the challenges that come with it.
Wow, Sandra! Thank you for this insightful comment. One truly needs the Holy Spirit to rid envy. Envy is a tool, if not managed, to disunite the body of Christ. Let’s be watchful.
One key to stop envying is recognizing that Everyone has a purpose and a timing. If everyone could write like you, then there will be no need for more writers but it’s equal. Someone helped you work on ur website while you inspire us. So everyone has a purpose. Perfect example is the scripture that talks about the body and how the eyes can’t do without the hand. Timing is also a key. While we look up to others, we must try not to envy them as we recognize we have our different timing. Just do what you’re doing now… Read more »
Word👌.. Thanks for this insightful comment, Elvis.😊
Timing is indeed key. The Bible does state that, there’s a time for everything. When we continue to realize that our timing is different from the person next door, we’ll gain more peace.
Steals your time,joy,purpose,focus ,even gifts…..I mean you can’t even afford it….this is a good piece🙌🏽….envy can be nortured…starts from littlest way that is why we should always find reasons to thank God for others too, Bless you sis❤️💥
True talk 💯. Thank you so much love. 😄
Such a timely post, as I shared a similar post about comparison, on my blog yesterday.
Being thankful and celebrating the success of others, helps in dealing with envy. Like you stated, we all have our race to run, and because another person seems to be ahead of you, doesn’t mean they actually are. They are on THEIR own lane and so, you should also remain on yours. May God helps us see the good in each situation we’re in.
🙌 God is passing a message across to His children. Thank you so much, Seun. 😊 “Celebrate the success of others”.. Hmm
Envy causes you to be so focused on what you dont have but others have and less appreciative of what you actually do have…and that’s a step to stagnation cos as long as you dont appreciate what you have, you’ll never nurture it and grow in it..
Thanks for sharing,💕
So much wisdom in here, Falade. 🙌