The Green Monster

Envy/Jealousy: Limits God and Ourselves

“But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t brag and lie in defiance of the truth.” James 3:14 HCSB

“Envy is pain at the good fortune of others.” — Aristotle

When I was in high school dating a handsome and charming fellow, the Green Monster, jealousy would appear at the worst time. Of course, immaturity had a hand, but if he gave attention to another girl, the hot flush and emotional upheaval would overtake me. Trying to contain 100 pounds of negative emotion was beyond my ability!

Envy visited me too. When my husband died, I was envious of all my friends who were still a couple and went to dinners, vacations and family reunions. To be fair, this is part of the grieving process. Learning to be content while alone is not an easy process. Jesus promised to be with me until the end of the age but he didn’t put His arms around me with words of comfort. This happened to the Apostle Paul too. In 2 Timothy 4:16, he wrote that everyone abandoned him when he was in jail facing criminal court.

We envy those closest to us because we see what they have and what they can do and we compare ourselves to them. Comparing will always leave us wanting. It also leaves us doubting and questioning the Father and ourselves. Then bitterness comes.

Why do they have…? Will I ever…? How come they…?

The Father treats others better than we, or so we think.

We don’t know their whole story. That’s the Father’s business and not our business.

We don’t know our whole story. The Father hasn’t finished “the good work in us,” which he promised.

Jesus had no advantage and still, He saved us. No college degree. No status. No wealth. No place to lay His head. Abandoned at the cross.

Musings

Jealousy is when you worry someone will take what you have. Envy is wanting what someone else has.Gratitude is absent. Blessings are hiding. Guilt enters. Bitterness invades. The Bible is filled with stories of envy and jealousy! Nothing new under the sun… But we have help through the Holy Spirit with prayer. “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh,” counsels Paul. No bitterness or envy walking by the Spirit.

Prayer

Dear Father,

We envy and covet when we are not walking in the Spirit. We know comparing ourselves to others is a fool’s game. We know abundance is only possible with You at the Helm and our thankfulness with humility. Your Son had nothing so we could have everything. Please help us to remember this when tempted to envy or indulge in jealousy.

Amen.