Envy is the emotion relating to wanting what someone else has, their possessions or qualities. Jealousy is when you are worried someone’s trying to take what you have…a message for another day. Envy causes you to think ill of others, to wish bad things to happen to them. Envy causes you to wish someone will fail instead of succeed.

What causes this ugly emotion, envy? Wanting what someone else has? Envy is being consumed with SELF. “What about my needs? I want a new car! I wish I were tall and thin.” It is all about me and not being content with what God has so graciously given me. Envy says to God, “Thanks, but no thanks.”

So how do we cure envy? Start by praying. Ask God to forgive you for being ungrateful and to help you appreciate the blessings you have. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you be content with what you have. Thank God for the many gifts he has already given you.

I think we all know what it feels like when someone does not like what you gave them as a gift—makes you feel bad and possibly regret that you gave them a gift in the first place. God has given us many gifts that we should be thankful for and instead we are too busy complaining about what we do not have.

Dear Lord, thanks for showing us the ugliness of envy. Thanks for exposing the areas in our lives where envy has been, much too long. Help us be content with what you have given us. We are sorry that we did not consider Your gifts a blessing. Forgive us for, not appreciating the home that you’ve given us Lord. It may not be big but it ours and it is clean and safe. Lord, help us to celebrate a friend’s new baby with her. (This is often a hard thing to do when you’ve been unsuccessful at having a baby.) Help us to be patient and prepare for our mate.

Take a moment and thank God for what you have! Also, say goodbye to envy!