STOP ENVYING NOW!
Envy is rooted in discontentment—with your situation. Unlike jealousy which says, “I’m afraid you are going to displace me, to take what I have”, envy says, “I want what you have, and because I don’t have it, I feel ill-will towards you!” Ever noticed that you don’t envy folks for things that you are blessed with or succeeding at? Think about it. Do you envy people who are fit, educated, happily married, talented, or anointed? Well, there is no need to do that! Here’s the deal. Some things you can achieve (degrees, homeownership, fitness (ouch! that’s mine)) if you are willing to pay the price. Other things are determined by God’s Sovereign plan for your life. I meditate on Psalm 139:16 (NLT) a lot: “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.”
With this truth as a foundation, looks like it’s time to get busy doing our part and RESTING on God’s promises.
NOW, be honest! WHOM DO YOU ENVY AND WHY? Ok, I’ll go first: Sometimes I feel envy towards women who make fitness one of their top priorities. Even though I SAY it is one of mine, I tend to focus more on career/ministry goals. I’ve even felt vindicated and smug when thinness appears to be the most significant thing that person has achieved… (Wow, that was hard to admit to the WORLD!).
Your turn… I dare you to fess up!
By the way, I talk about these things in my book, 30 Days To a Stronger, More Confident You. Available at ConfrontingIssues.com.