Overcoming Envy

Envy

“a feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else’s possessions,qualities or luck.” (Meriam Webster)

The root of all envy is lack of contentment.

When someone is dissatisfied with their current life situation, with who they are or the things they possess they express a heart of discontentment, It’s the focus on what you don’t have instead of the things you do have.

Or maybe your discontentment doesn’t come from what someone has physically or materialistically but you’re envious of the talented. Your mind begins to swell up with thoughts like “why can’t I sing, dance, or write like them?” At its core those statements are just the assumption of false truths that God somehow created you a little less “special”, and that he withheld a good thing from you despite the truth of his word (psalm 84:11)

To believe that you are less than anything but lovely and creative in your own light forces you to make false claims against Gods character.  The truth is that you are fearfully and wonderfully made, and that he was intentional in creating you. Psalm 139:14 captures the perspective of our value in Gods eyes and helps us remember that He’d never revere your existence in any  other way.

The enemy doesn’t want you think that you are special and that there are talents deep within you, so he pressures you into believing that you are less than and that you don’t measure up.

Submitting to the truth of Gods word, being content in all things and of who you are helps you take root of envy before your peace is seized. (Proverbs 14:30)

Practicals to help overcome envy:

1. Write a gratitude list (Philippians 4:6)

2. Confess feelings of envy you may have(James 3:14)

3. Focus on God (1 Chronicles 16:11)

4. Count the cost —there are sacrifices to be made with every success (Luke 14:28)