Slaying the Green-Eyed Monster of Envy

Do you struggle with envy? Are you tired of being jealous of what other people have? If so, today’s word of hope from the Lord will encourage you and, if you will let it, set you free.

Here’s my totally transparent confession about envy:

I used to feel envious of other people a lot, but I didn’t recognize envy for what it was.

Then one day, many years ago, I watched a bunch of little kids preach at a youth conference. Instead of being happy for them, I got upset with God. (#Facepalm) I wanted to preach; why couldn’t that be me? At that point, I recognized this ugly sin of envy in my life.

I took it to the Lord and read a book on the subject.

(The book was Envy: The Enemy Within: Overcoming the Hidden Emotion That Holds God’s Plans Hostage by Bob Sorge. This book was awesome and really helped me.)

In this book, Bob Sorge says that envy–“the biggest sin nobody has”–is when we despise the gifts and the call the Holy Spirit has given to us, and lust after someone else’s instead.

Basically, if I envy someone else’s gift, that essentially means I don’t value the gifts the Holy Spirit gave to me. I don’t respect the Holy Spirit as being wise enough to know what’s best for me and when. Instead, I only want someone else’s calling and opportunity.

Just writing this brings tears to my eyes.

For so many years, that is how I treated the Holy Spirit. Lord, I’m so sorry. The Holy Spirit is so precious, so wise, so generous. I’m so sorry that I grieved and insulted Him like that.

After I read the book and really prayed about getting rid of this sin, the Lord led me to a few Scripture verses:

“But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine” (Isaiah 43:1).

Out of this verse, the Lord spoke to me that He has made me to be what I am; He made me just the way He wants me to be; and He made me especially for Himself. I’m special to Him, and He considers me as belonging to Him.

The Lord is speaking this verse to you too. He made you to be what you are; He made you just so, just how He wants you. He made you especially for Himself. You are special to Him, and He considers you as being His special possession. 

Then the Lord led me to Isaiah 43:4,5, and 10:

‘Since you were precious in My sight, you have been honored, and I have loved you; therefore I will give men for you, and people for your life. Fear not, for I am with you… You  are My witnesses,” says the Lord, “And My servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, nor shall there be after Me.'”

Out of these verses, the Lord spoke these things to me:

• that He loves me, and won’t let anything get in the way of His perfect plan for me.
• He is with me and I don’t have to be afraid of getting skipped over.
• He made me to be His witness, and He’ll ensure that I fulfill that calling.
• I’m His servant. He chose me especially, that I may know Him.
• Knowing Him is my primary calling, and I can rest in the understanding that as long as I know Him, I’m doing exactly what He wants me to do.

Related: Stop Expecting the Church to Promote You and Ready For God To Promote You?

Realizing that the same thing applies to you will help you slay the green-eyed monster of envy too.

The Lord loves you with an everlasting love. You don’t have to be afraid of getting skipped over. He will ensure that you get the opportunities you desire–and even better opportunities, in my experience–when the time is right.

You are His servant. Our Father God chose you especially, just to know Him and be with Him. You are fulfilling your calling as long as you are pressing into Him. He will bring everything else into being at just the right time.

If you will take the time to really get these truths in your spirit, you will see that envy is not only sin, but a complete waste of time. The Holy Spirit has given you special gifts. He knows you more intimately than anyone else could ever know you.

Your Papa God knows just what He’s doing in your life, and you can trust Him. He will bring you opportunity to fulfill your dreams when the time is right. He made you His servant; He has chosen you. He will ensure that you fulfill your calling, and you won’t miss it.

Do you worry that you are missing your call? Cling to God. Seek Him, and He will lead you into your calling perfectly.