Cultivating a Life Without Envy: Day 4

     Day 4: Dealing With Envy

Imagine for just a moment having a life without envy. 

• The guy next doors gets a new truck, and instead of resenting it, you celebrate with them. 
• A colleague with three years’ less experience gets the promotion you applied for, and instead of criticizing your superiors, you thank them for the time and energy they poured into the process. 
• A person with tremendous political authority gets arrested for breaking campaign finance laws and instead of celebrating, you pray for them and for those who will be taking over the office. 
• Your favorite sports team loses the championship. Instead of ridiculing the officials or the fans from the other team, you congratulate them for a great season. 
• A friend loses twenty pounds and instead of remaining in self-pity, you send a card congratulating them on their diligence. 

As you read today, consider this: Imagine a life with no envy. Imagine others rejoicing with you when you rejoice, and mourning with you with you mourn. Imagine doing the same for others. What would that look like? 

READING:

     Romans 12:1-21

What are three ways your life would be different if you regularly lived without any envy towards others? 

How regularly do you rejoice with others when they rejoice, and mourn with them when they mourn? 

What steps can you take to hold yourself accountable to having less envy? (Example: I will regularly write down all of the good things that are happening in my life.)

What steps can you take to allow somebody else to hold you accountable to having less envy? (Example: Who can you give permission to speak things like, “I’ve noticed you seem envious or jealous when _______ happens. Can we talk about ways to rejoice in that and not loathe them or experience self-pity?”) 

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, today’s reading has helped me to see that there are many times in my life when I do not rejoice with those who rejoice or mourn with those who mourn. But that’s the kind of person I want to become. Continue to lead me, guide me, and hold me accountable to being the person You’ve created me to be. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.