#92of365 #FaithBites #FaithJourney #Envy

Today’s lesson is about the little green monster. No not Mike from Monsters, Inc but jealousy and envy. I was at home thinking of the good deeds someone did for a family member and as was jealous. I thought they are only doing it look better. They only want the recognition from that person. They are sucking up. Then I saw the same thing at work. I was looking at how people were interacting with each other and I wasn’t involved and they were getting something that I wasn’t getting. Their voice is always important and listen to and not mine.

Then it hit me: WHO CARES.

I mean honestly. If someone’s motives are not pure for who they are helping, does it matter to me? The person they are helping is getting what they need. I am not to judge someone else. There is plenty of goodness, warmth, and love to go around. If I am not getting what I think I deserve, then I have the power to change my situation. It may be that God is giving me a message I need to listen too. If someone has fancy cars, houses, savings, gadgets, no financial worries, why be upset at that. Instead, listen to them. Learn from them. Be thankful for them. See how you can emulate some of the behaviors that got you there. At the same time, just because they have stuff, doesn’t mean they have no spiritual, emotional, familial, or physical worries. The anger of not getting what you think you deserve is not only envy but it’s really taking time, energy, and possibilities away from you.

“You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?” – 1 Corinthians 3:3

“A heart at peace gives life to the body,
    but envy rots the bones.” – Proverbs 14:30

“You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” – James 4:2-3

Envy rotting your bones. Desire leading to killing. Jealousy and quarreling are worldly and not acting Godly or Christ-Like. these are powerful words. I do not want my bones or spirit to rot. I want a heart of peace. I want many great things in life but really they aren’t things I can buy: peace, love, safety, security, joy. These come from the Lord and in turn, physical things will come too. I am not sent to judge others. I don’t know what their motives are. That’s between them and their creator. For me, I need to focus on love, peace, joy, and help. If I am not getting what I need (need not want), I need to pray on it and God will provide for me. That is if I truly need it. He does work in mysterious ways.

Are you ready to let go of envy? Are you willing to be truly happy for people who are doing well for themselves? To thank God on their behalf even though you may be struggling?

I am willing and ready (with the help of God)