- Psalm 37:4 - Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
- Psalm 37:5 - Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
- Psalm 37:6 - And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
Now that we have a clearer understanding of what envy is and how it can affect our lives, let's look at some practical ways to combat this problem. Overcoming envy is not about trying harder on our own. The key is allowing God to change our hearts and set us free. Here are five steps:
1. Acknowledge that envy exists in your life. Do not minimize the problem or justify it. Be honest before God. Admitting it is the first step toward freedom. 2. Understand what envy is exposing in your heart. When analyzing your envy, ask yourself: 'What do I think I must have to be happy? What am I afraid of losing?' These questions will help you understand the deeper desires hidden beneath the envy. 3. Confess this to God consistently. Make this a regular habit rather than a one-time prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you the thoughts that breed envy, and remember that God's grace is always available. 4. Ask God to teach you to see others as He sees them. This will help you view other people not as rivals to compare yourself with, but as God's beloved children. 5. Focus your attention on God's faithfulness in your own life. Envy blinds us and prevents us from seeing the good things we already possess. However, when we find joy in the Lord, He changes our desires (Psalm 37:4).
Overcoming envy is not an instant fix, but a process. Yet, with God's help, the influence of envy over us can weaken over time.
Reflection
Are you prepared to pray to God immediately and remember His faithfulness in your life the next time you feel envy this week?
