Category: Envy

Hope Shines Through The Power of Envy

Do you ever struggle with the thoughts of wishing you could run away from your life?

Are you living with the pain of a child who has some behavior issues and you have tried everything, but don’t know what to do now? How are you going to get them to listen to you? Time out doesn’t work. Taking electronics away does not work. They just continue to be out of control, disrespectful and ugly. Are you struggling with how to get them back under control before this gets worse?

Is the person you’re married to not the same person you married years ago? Have  the pressures of life allowed for the manifestation of unhealthy behaviors which you don’t like now? Are you struggling with how to set up healthy boundaries allowing for the change that is necessary to heal your marriage? Now the only thing you can see is an unhealthy marriage with no possible way for change, love, regrowth, or happiness. The only thing you can see now is the way out, not the way to stay.

Disclaimer, please know as I write about marriages, there is a time to leave. Please DO NOT STAY in any relationship where abuse is involved. Please seek help for you and your children if this is going on. The relationship struggles I am referring to are less then abuse.

My friend, there are many faces of pain and strife that plagues people today. I only chose these two topics to serve as an introduction and as I did God pointed out I am in a season of writing about how difficult life is.

I feel this is because pain runs deeply in the lives of many and seems more prevalent today then what I remember in the past. Maybe it is because my heart seems more sensitive to people who hurt today then it has in the past.

I see this pain all around me. I see it in broken marriages and struggling relationships. I see it in the pain of cancer as well as chronic invisible illnesses. I see it in people who are struggling with the darkness of depression and often times go so far as to try to end their lives as a result. (Remember the 22, where we loose 22 Veterans a day to suicide). One of the hardest things I have ever seen is to see a Soldier cry. That will tear your heart out. Unfortunately, pain is real and it is alive.

As you examine your life or look around to those you know who are struggling do you find it easier to look at others and envy them because you think their life is easier than your own? 

Do you find yourself wondering how hard can they have it? Truly? They have a big beautiful home, they drive a nice car, they have a spouse (who seems wonderful to them), and beautiful well behaved children. They seem to be living the “American Dream” right? They don’t have the problems you have and you find yourself envying their life. “Oh man, if only I could have this just for a short time. I could get away from all the burdens that weigh me down everyday.”

How many times do you follow someone on social media and you follow them from day-to-day and what they portray is “perfection” made easy? As you continue to follow them you envy what they have. Then you begin to look in the mirror and wonder why you can’t have that. Why does your life have to be so difficult?

My friend, there is a common theme going to magnify your already difficult circumstances and this is found in the word, “envy”.

“Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:26‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Envy is an evil trick the enemy plays on us. It comes in the form of deceitfulness. If we could just hide from the pain of our own lives and live in the lives of others, life could be so much easier.

My friend this is a very dangerous trap. While you are envying another persons life, you are not taking care of your own life. 

Before you waste your precious time longing and wishing for someone else’s life, it is time to seek God for the help to get through yours.

Take your difficult situation to Him and seek His counsel, strength, wisdom, guidance, and truth. The advice and direction He gives you will be healthy and honest.

He can heal your relationships and difficult situations to bring your life back to you.  Your answers may not be easy ones, but one thing you can guarantee is that His advice will be honest. God doesn’t hide behind the darkness of deceit and lies like the enemy does. The enemy wants us to only see our lives as the pit of despair.

“But I will hope continually, And will praise You yet more and more.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭71:14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

My friend, fight back the urge to waste your energy envying others. Just because you can’t see the burdens they carry doesn’t mean they are not living a similar difficult life as you. Don’t believe the lies and deceit that is being fed to you.

Take your burdens to God and allow Him to heal you from them. Stay focused and know this may take time depending on your circumstances remembering while you wait that this may take time doesn’t mean God has not heard your cries, pleas, or prayers. He is with you, holding you, and healing your brokenness. Remain hopeful in a future you can not see. God can change these difficult circumstances into beautiful blessings if you remain faithful to Him.

Hugs my Friend! You can do this! The pain may be heavy and real, but there is nothing that is to big for God to heal if you will allow Him. There is a brighter tomorrow with God leading the way.