Glittering Vice #2 Envy

What is envy? Rebecca DeYoung explains this vice so well. “Jealousy is envy’s close cousin. Both are personal and related to love. The jealous “have” something or someone they love but might lose. The envious, by contrast, are the “have-nots”--they do not have the good their rival does, and they do not have self-love either.”

Let’s look at two athletes and contrast the differences. In 1924, Eric Liddell raced against Harold Abrahams in the 400 meter race in the Olympics. Eric said he felt God's pleasure whenever he ran, not when he won. (This explained why he confidently switched to a race he had not trained for because he would not compete in the 100 meter that was held on Sunday.) Harold devoted himself to winning. Winning was his goal and the fear of losing was what drove him. What is driving us?

We all need to be loved and found worthy but the envier makes it competitive.

“Envy is ever joined to the comparing of man’s self; and where there is no comparison, no envy.”

--Francis Bacon

To escape this vice we must find a different foundation for our self-worth as we work on a new vision of who we are, unconditionally beloved children of God. There’s a lot of talk about identity. We should all rest assured and repeat— I am a child of God! My worth is found in my Creator.

Let’s reframe our vision of the world, ourselves, and others beginning with a change of heart.

Please join us as we strive to exchange fear and resentment for gratitude and contentment.

Good-bye envy, Hello love.