Do you fall into the “envy” trap?
Confession time! I admit that
sometimes I do. Maybe I haven’t said those particular words. Mine would sound
more like…
What? That writer can crank out 5,000 words in a day? How is
that possible? I'm not sure I can think that fast, let alone type! or
You sold 100
books at a booksigning? or
She snagged a multi-book contract on her first try?
Insert heavy sigh here. When I hear
about these tremendous accomplishments, I cringe and immediately wonder what’s
wrong with me. Why can’t I write that fast? When it comes to speed, I'm
definitely not going to break any records. I count it a good day if I manage to
eek out over 1,000 words. To sell 100 books at one time? That number hasn't
even filtered into my dreams yet. I was thrilled to snag a contract for one book, and I lost track of the
years and how many rejections it took to get that.
If I dwell on those things, I become cranky, ungrateful, and dissatisfied with
the journey I'm on.
Envy rots the
bones.
Oh Lord, I so don't want to go down that road.
"My precious daughter, don't you know by now that I love you just the way
you are?" A tiny voice whispers in my heart, convicting me that envy is
not from God. "You are fearfully and wonderfully made…"
(Psalm 139:14 NIV)
Fearfully and wonderfully made? Yowzers!
No, God didn't equip me to crank out 5k in a day, but He created me, shaped me
into the person I am, unique and one-of-a-kind, precious in His sight. How my
complaining and comparing must hurt Him!
Ouch!
I'm so sorry, precious Lord. Please forgive me. Guard my heart from
envy. Don't allow it to seep into my life and settle into my bones. I will praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully
made.
What about
you? Do you fall into the "envy" trap?
