As we begin our thoughts for today, I want us to consider a subject that too often comes far too easy for so many. It is the idea or subject of "ENVY". From a layman's point of view, envy has, in part, the following meaning; "a feeling of want or desire of another's possession, situation in life or personality trait." In the Bible it is often seen in the lives of different people and with results that are far from God's design. We have probably all been there at one time or other and had an opportunity to experience the success or failure it brings, depending on how we may react to it at the time. If dealt with properly, it can lead us to a greater understanding of ourselves as well as the kind of relationships in life that God would have for us. As we look at it from a Biblical view, it is never seen as a good emotion, from all I can tell.
The Bible is clear when it speaks of envy. We read in the book of Proverbs, chapter 27:4, "Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?" (KJV) Envy and jealousy seem to be very closely related in the scriptures. One often refers to the other many times in the same passage or story.
The dictionary describes it this way; "a feeling of discontent or covetousness with regard to another's advantages, success, possessions, etc." The question is, why do people do it? It is believed that those in the emotion of envy or jealousy have the idea in their mind that others are more fortunate, smarter, more attractive and even better than they.
When we experience envy or jealousy it is normally due to the fact that we are dissatisfied with the life we have or we simply fail to see just how blessed we truly are by God with what we have. We should not go through life wishing for what we do not have, but rather be happy and content with what we have been given. The Apostle Paul said it very well in Philippians 4:11, "for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." Then in Hebrews 13:5, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'"
I will leave you with these words, be content with the life with which God has blessed you and live pleasing HIM. Do not look to the things or the lives of others for happiness, but look to God and trust HIM! He will bless you with what it is He knows you can handle. The reason we sometimes do not have all 'we want' is because HE knows where we might go if we had it. Count your blessings and see what God has already done. God bless until our next time together.
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