Have you ever been unhappy with what you have? Envy is the devaluing what we do have, thinking it is not enough. When we focus on what others have, it could lead to a resentment that they have the good things and we do not. We will never get what we want if we focus outside our boundaries onto what others have. Envy is a miserable experience because we are dissatisfied with our state, yet seem powerless to change it. We are not looking at ourselves and what we have but are focused on the perceived happiness of others.
There is an old saying: “You can’t tell a book by the cover.” After many years of helping people with their struggles in a confidential setting behind closed doors, I can assure you that you can’t tell everything about a person until you really get to know them and their difficulties. The grass is not greener on the other side! The apostle Paul said: “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” (Philippians 4:12)
Desire does not focus on the emptiness, but rather on the goodness and value of what we do have. Desires motivate us to pursue something that preserves the goodness and value of what we have, including our relationships. Scripture says that if we delight ourselves in the Lord, He will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)
We need to be happy with what we do have. God has a plan for you and it is different than the plan he has for your neighbor. God has given you the gifts you have – for a specific reason. Some you may struggle with, but is that not when we grow?
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