Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody. Romans 12:15
According to this week's reflection, envy is the feeling we get when we want what someone else has -- whether that's some superior quality or achievement, relationship, or possession - and desire it for ourselves. Wow - do you ever feel this way? I know that I do. Are you ever envious of your friends house, car, family, agreeable toddler, etc. The definition of envy immediately brings to mind one of the 10 Commandments - do not covet your neighbors belongings. (Exodus 20:17) Although God instructs us not to covet or envy others, we naturally do.
Envy can be harmful. As the desire for more - a bigger home, a better car, more money can cause people to act irrationally, destroy relationships, and dissolve families. We all need to take heed and take a minute when we begin to envy what others may have (myself included). The reflection notes that one woman deals with envy by focusing on the person who has the things she wants and instead of being envious, being thankful for them. I would like to try to implement that practice in my life. Pray for and be thankful for those persons that you envy. If this is a challenge for you be sure to ask for God's help.
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It is certainly a challenge for me. That is why I really appreciated the suggestion about helping your kids banish envy. I plan to encourage Parker to celebrate with others who do well or get great new things. I love to think of "investing in another's joy" and showing Parker how to do the same.
ReplyDeleteI listened to a sermon one time that said envy was basically telling God that you aren't happy with what He has given you. Wow! How bad does that make you feel? If you really count your blessings you will soon realized that you, too, live quite a charmed life.