Love… does not envy.
1 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV)
Envy is not usually intentional. That disparaging predator creeps up on us when we least expect it. It whispers lies and blinds us to the truth. It draws our center of attention on what we lack so we don’t focus on the blessings God has so lovingly bestowed on us. Envy lures us into believing that God’s plan for us is less than best. Truth is, God chooses unique paths for each of His children. Some may experience more rain than others, but we are all led by the same hand.
When my oldest son was on the high-school cross-country team, his coach impressed on him the importance of keeping his gaze fixed on the course ahead. If he looked to the right or to the left, his focus strayed from the goal and slowed him down. One boy from another team kept looking over his shoulder and tripped over a tree root, landing him face-down in the dirt. He made it to the finish line in last place and with an obvious limp.
Wishing for more or for better is a dangerous path. Like the athlete who was more concerned about the other runners rather than his own race, envy can land us in a bad place. How can you resist envy? Learn contentment, practice gratitude, and keep your gaze on the path God has chosen for you. You never know the blessings you might discover just around the bend.
Thought: “The cure for the sin of envy and jealousy is to find our contentment in God.” – Jerry Bridges