Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up.

I Corinthians 13:4

Envy can be defined as not only wanting what someone else has, but also wishing the other person didn’t have it. And envy is a choice. We choose to compare ourselves to others, forgetting that God made each of us unique.

Envy is like a deadly cancer that consumes our souls and ruins our relationships. It causes conflicts and quarrels in our homes and on the job, and it fills our life with resentment, which in turn brings bitterness and self-centeredness. Envy also makes us miserable. Comparing ourselves with others prevents us from appreciating God’s goodness in our lives and the lives of others and blinds us to the truth that God has enough goodness for everyone.

What can we do if we recognize envy in our lives? First we can concentrate on appreciating our God-given uniqueness. Then we can use envy as a stepping stone in our lives. We can take a hard look  at values which foster envy in our lives. Then we can refocus our attention on the things that will last through eternity: God, God’s Word, and people.

Thought:   Love does not envy, and envy blocks love. Today, I choose to fill my life with love instead of envy.