Day 1: What is Envy?
Of the many different things that may discourage or distract us from growing in emotional and spiritual health, envy is one that may very well top the list. But what is envy?
In a nutshell, envy is the desire to have somebody else’s life. Or in other words, it’s resenting somebody else for the life they have.
Some marks of a person who struggles with envy may include:
- Not rejoicing in what others have or get to experience. Instead, resenting them because you don’t have what they do.
- Finding fault with a particular person regularly.
- Being comforted or rejoicing when something bad happens to somebody in a position of authority.
- Regularly experiencing self-pity.
- Regularly struggling with comparison-itis. Nothing is good enough. Your job isn’t good enough. Your marriage isn’t good enough. Your love life isn’t good enough. Your body isn’t good enough. Most aspects of life aren’t good enough, because you compare everything you have against others.
As you read today, consider this: Why do you think it’s hard for people to admit they struggle with envy?
READING:
Exodus 20:17; Galatians 5:26; Hebrews 13:5
Why do you think it’s hard for people to admit they struggle with envy?
Think about it: what are at least five possible consequences to a life of envy?
How many of these consequences have you personally experienced?
God is inviting you to root out any and all envy you may be experiencing in your life. Ask God to reveal any envy you may be experiencing in your life.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, I recognize that You are inviting me to root out all envy from my life. I don’t want to continually struggle with comparison-itis, but our world functions in constant comparison. Lead and guide me to see envy for what it really is. Provide me wisdom to not only recognize it, but to root it out so that I may better rejoice with others, and not constantly condemn them. Lead me into a life of contentment. I pray these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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