by Christina Eve
The key to success in anything is intentionality. That is also the backbone of everything we discuss on ShineStrong LiveLong because we are out here trying to live successful lives that God can be proud of.
God didn’t just create the world but designed it and everything in it. We are witnesses of His craftsmanship and, yes, His intentionality. He made everyone unique with their purpose and mission… but there are some things we allow to get in the way of fulfilling that purpose He designed us for. One of those things is envy.
What is ENVY holding us back from, and how do we overcome it? That is the question for today.
Envy is the feeling of dissatisfaction or bitterness that comes from longing for what someone else has.
That feeling robs us of our joy and our peace. It makes expressing our sincere love for the person we envy almost impossible. However, we know that God wants us to love everyone.
When we look at what other people have and are jealous or envious, that gets in the way of us receiving what God has for us. To envy is to break a commandment.
Pastor Rick Warren wrote about this topic in his book The Purpose Driven Life. I am paraphrasing, but he says that when we are envious of what others have, whether it be their physical appearance, their job, their car, their life, whatever it is, we are saying in our hearts that we know what’s best for ourselves and that God didn’t design our life right and that He must have made a mistake with me because I would have been so much better off if I were “x” instead of “y,” or if I were born with “x” instead of “y.”
It is wrong for us to envy and be jealous of other people… but it can be so hard not to do it.
However, there is a scripture to fight back against every sin.
And here is how we overcome envy.
We overcome envy with God's word
”See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. “
I Thessalonians 5:15-18 NKJV
“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5 NKJV
Do you find yourself feeling envious?
I sometimes do. But I know better than to feel that way for a long time. I know it’s wrong, and I don’t want to seem ungrateful for all God has done for me. So, I chose these scriptures because they remind me to be grateful for everything I have and to remember that God is enough.
He said that He will never leave nor forsake me… and that is honestly enough.
I also have to ask myself if I notice triggers to envy.
Like, what are we usually doing right before that feeling starts? It may be when scrolling social media or spending time with certain people. Whatever that trigger is for you… take a break from it and pray that God replaces those feelings with gratitude instead.
We need to be intentional about being grateful, thankful, and joyful about who we are, how God has designed us with intentionality, and curious about how this life he wrote specifically for us plays out. We must overcome the envy that is holding us back.
We miss so much of our own life, wishing we had someone else’s.
God has so much more for you - so much more He wants to do for us. And we are on our way.
Continue to be intentional about living the life God designed for you, and remember, today is a new day. A day where you and I have been given the opportunity to choose better, love stronger, and shine brighter than the day before.
ShineStrong LiveLong!
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