The Green-Eyed Monster

A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot. Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him. The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing, but the righteous finds refuge in his death. Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding, but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools. Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. (Proverbs 14:30-34 ESV).

 

Our reading today emphasizes the contrast between tranquility and jealousy or envy. If you are the kind of person that feels unhappy when others have acquired what you don’t have, that is a sign of jealousy and envy. God never blesses a jealous heart because it only thinks about itself and no other. Jealousy refers to the thoughts or feelings of insecurity, fear, concern, and envy over virtual lack of ownerships, status or something of great personal value, mainly in reference to a comparator. Jealousy regularly consists of one or more emotions such as anger, resentment, lack, vulnerability or hatred and it ranges from the young to the old, men and women. We ought to be guided by the word of God to avoid jealousy. Harold Coffin said, “Envy is the art of counting the other fellow's blessings instead of your own.”

There are real benefits in the practice of tranquility and satisfaction. A tranquil heart lowers blood pressure. The serene, content heart gives life. The “heart at peace” is the heart of those who see what they own or have accomplished and are gratefully content. They’re not always looking at others and their “stuff.” One does not need to be the richest or the smartest to be content. It’s a matter of being wise, and the wise person is not concerned about being the wisest. Like a cancer, envy destroys what is healthy. Envy prevents us from enjoying what we have and the relationships we enjoy.

 

Envy can be like a tiny devil on your shoulder that whisper words into your ear, gnashes on your soul and makes life into something that is often filled with suffering and much negativity. Or the envy can just be something that irritates and distracts you from time to time. In any case, it doesn’t have to be that way. The root of envy is in comparison. To get out of this confining and destructive mentality you can choose to focus on the opportunities and the new chances. You can develop an abundance mentality. After all, this is Jesus’ stated purpose. He said, “I have come that you may have life, and that abundantly” (John 10:10). Circumstances are often the thieves of joy, peace, and success. Recognize the temporal nature of your circumstance. Jesus is steadily leading us to our eternal home, perfect in every way. Rest in that thought each day you draw breath this side of heaven.