E is for Envy…

A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. 
Prov 14:30 NIV

What does that person do for a living to afford that?
Wow! Would you look at that house! Wouldn’t you love to live there?
Why did my co-worker snag the promotion? I was more qualified.

Do you fall into the “envy” trap? 
Confession time! I admit that sometimes I do. Maybe I haven’t said those particular words. Mine would sound more like…
What? That writer can crank out 5,000 words in a day? How is that possible? I’m not sure I can think that fast, let alone type! or
You sold 100 books at a booksigning? or
She snagged a multi-book contract on her first try?
Insert heavy sigh here. When I hear about these tremendous accomplishments, I cringe and immediately wonder what’s wrong with me. Why can’t I write that fast? When it comes to speed, I’m definitely not going to break any records. I count it a good day if I manage to eek out over 1,000 words. To sell 100 books at one time? That number hasn’t even filtered into my dreams yet. I was thrilled to snag a contract for one book, and I lost track of the years and how many rejections it took to get that. 

If I dwell on those things, I become cranky, ungrateful, and dissatisfied with the journey I’m on.
Envy rots the bones.

Oh Lord, I so don’t want to go down that road.

“My precious daughter, don’t you know by now that I love you just the way you are?” A tiny voice whispers in my heart, convicting me that envy is not from God. “You are fearfully and wonderfully made…” (Psalm 139:14 NIV) 


Fearfully and wonderfully made? Yowzers! 

No, God didn’t equip me to crank out 5k in a day, but He created me, shaped me into the person I am, unique and one-of-a-kind, precious in His sight. How my complaining and comparing must hurt Him! 

Ouch!

I’m so sorry, precious Lord. Please forgive me. Guard my heart from envy. Don’t allow it to seep into my life and settle into my bones. I will praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

What about you? Do you fall into the “envy” trap?

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19 thoughts on “E is for Envy…

  1. 5k words in a day? If it's a REALLY good week, I might come close to that. And that's a great verse from Psalm to connect. Never tied the two together, but it makes perfect sense. Thanks for posting, Dora!

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  2. We just had an amazing service on coveting and your post hits it on the head! One of the best things to do when you feel that is to switch the envy to REJOICING with the person.

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  3. Oh, yes. I get bit by the envy bug from time to time. Sometimes it leads to dissatisfaction and other times it pushes me to try harder. Like word count, thought 5k a day is probably never going to happen.

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  4. I so do fall into that trap. It's getting easier to avoid now though for some reason…my big envy trap has always been other peoples homes and lifestyle. I longed for that and now I realize I'm not made for that. I would hate it. So God does know best.

    Love your blog!!! It's so pretty and your tagline is awesome!
    Blessings,
    Diana

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  5. Raising my hand here. Yes, I'm prone to bouts of envy, too, and it's not pretty. I have to continually remind myself I don't have to live up to anyone's expectations except God's, because His plan for me is better than anything I could dream up for myself. I just need to be patient, keep following Him, and watch His plans unfold in my life.

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  6. Dora, I'm with you. When I hear of people getting 5k a day I drool, groan, and want to crawl under a rock. My BEST day barely got close to 5k–and that was all I did that day. I'm so very glad God made us exactly as He did and that we are special to Him, as we are. So thankful!! =]

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  7. Uh, oh, I can relate. It took my husband and me 7 years and lots of tests and procedures to get pregnant with our first child. It seemed that everyone around me was getting pregnant. I struggled to rejoice with them. I worked for an agency where I came in contact with women who had had 8 or 9 children and were mistreating them. Another struggle to not ask “Why?” Some of those same feelings creep into my heart when I hear about an author's book being accepted by a publisher, or that person who just got a contract for a six-book deal. Thank you for reminding me that God loves me the way I am and has a better plan for me than I could ever hope for. Besides, I'd probably keel over in a dead faint if I knew I had to write six books. 🙂

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  8. Really? You reached 5k? Grrr…Ooops!
    lol. Patty, I'm REJOICING with you. I couldn't sit in front of my computer long enough to pound out 5k words. Good for you!
    Thanks so much for hosting this A2Z meme. This has been so much fun!

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  9. Oh, I bet that was heartbreaking! I can totally understand how you'd feel that way. I'm sure you poured your heart out to God!

    I hear ya, Susan. Stresses me out just to think about committing to six books!

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  10. Nice to meet you, Dora! This was a great post. We've all been there and had to learn that lesson the hard way. Now, when I feel envy creeping in or pressure from what others are achieving, I become still. I look up ( I actually do!) and remember He leads. This wasn't easy. 3 years in the making! Lol! Love your blog!

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  11. My first thoughts are to say that what I feel is not exactly envy. Maybe more of lamenting (whining) why I don't get to have a husband, or why can't I have lots of friends, etc. But, I guess it is envy after all. Ouch.

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  12. I identify with this so much. I wish I didn't! But it is definitely unwise to compare ourselves among ourselves, isn't it? Thanks for being honest and letting me know I'm not alone!

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