The Green-Eyed Monster of Envy
By Andrea Merrell
We’ve all battled
with it to some degree at one time or another: the green-eyed monster of envy.
It’s part of our carnal nature that has to be redeemed and brought into
submission. Exodus 20:17 (NLT) says, You
must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your neighbor’s wife,
male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your
neighbor.
If God instructs us not to covet, why is it so hard to
overcome? It usually begins in childhood. Susie has a nicer outfit. Tommy has a
better skateboard. Lisa’s family has a swimming pool and a newer car with a DVD
player. Left unattended, envy escalates in the teen years and morphs over into
adulthood.
As writers, envy is a subtle enemy that can steal our peace,
our joy, and our purpose. We all have our heroes—people in
the industry we look up to and want to emulate. Having these people as our
inspiration is fine as long as we don’t allow our admiration to become an obsession.
I’ve heard writers say things such as, “Look at her. How did
she get a contract so fast? I’m a better writer than she is.” And "I’ve been
writing longer than he has. How did he get so successful? It’s not fair.”
On the other hand, some might say, “If I could only be like
_____ (you fill in the blank). She has it all together. She’s talented,
outgoing, and … well, I just can’t compete.”
And therein lies the problem: trying to compete.
Envy not only causes competition, it can create a stronghold
that produces bitterness and a critical spirit toward those we view as
successful. This is what the Bible says about envy: Envy rots the bones
(Proverbs 14:30 NIV). The NLT puts it this way: Jealousy is like cancer in the
bones.
Pastor and author Bob Gass writes, “In essence, envy says to
God, ‘you made a mistake when you made me like I am. I want to be like that
other person and have what they have.’”
The truth is found in Jeremiah 29:11. For I know the plans I have
for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you
and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (NIV). Your
calling and destiny are unique. God has a plan and purpose for you that no one
else can fulfill. He can use you—and your words—to reach individuals that no
one else can reach.
Writer, you are special. You are unique. There is no one else
like you, and no one is able to do what God has called and equipped you to do.
Don’t allow the green-eyed monster of envy to steal your God-given destiny from you.
Lord, thank
you for the gifts, talents, and abilities you have placed inside me. Thank you
for the words that flow from my heart to bless others. May I never give envy a
foothold in my life, but use it as a tool to motivate me to become the person
you created me to be.
(Photos courtesy
of FreeDigitalPhotos.net/Stuart Miles/Graur Codrin.)
TWEETABLES
Andrea, when I first got into this writing thing, I was amazed at the way other writers were willing to help a "newbie." Then, as I had novels of my own published, I found myself envying other authors when they got an award, a new contract, or anything else that I somehow begrudged them. Envy does indeed eat at our very bones if we let it. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteIt can happen so easily, we have to guard our hearts. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, Richard. Blessings! :)
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