Is green envy getting the best of you? Pick your battle and win! It is impossible to conquer jealousy once and for all!
We’re kinda funny people when you get down to the nitty-gritty of things. We determine our self-worth based on a thing called “comparison.” Our identity is placed on how we fare in light of everyone else’s success and/or failure. How much money do I make? Are my kids popular, athletic, musical, and academic? Will they make the “A” team? Am I pretty? How many Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook likes do I have? And ohhhh….what about my weight?
The Death Trap of Comparison
We get caught up in a debilitating cycle of comparison. We’re perpetually evaluating whether or not we will fit in…ultimately with a desire to be loved and accepted.
We critique.
Put down.
Compare.
Weigh ourselves in the balance.
And when we don’t measure up…we feel shame. Less than. Insecure. Anything but good. The standard by which we try to live by is so far above anything we can attain.
And we fail.
We fall short.
Focus on God’s Word
Read 2 Cor. 10:12-18. Paul offers another option. A better solution.
Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding. 2 Cor. 10:12
The world uses worldly standards to measure your worth. To value your identity. To say you matter. The world says “Their way is the right way.” The world says they have a way that is better than anyone else.
God calls this way “Pride.” Pride says “I am better than you.” Pride says “I am prettier than you, smarter than you, more successful than you, more self-righteous than you, more useful for the Kingdom than you.”
But here is where Paul steps in and says, “Stop listening to the lies! The Enemy is deceiving you. Because you do have worth. Your identity is secure in the Lord. You matter!”
Captivated With Purpose
Someone out there needs to hear this today. You matter! You do! You’re worth something. You’re worth Jesus taking up a cross and dying on your behalf. Don’t listen to the world and use their faulty measuring stick. The Apostle Paul could not measure up to the standard being set by some Corinthian dissenters. He did not have the social status, wealth, or worldly influence that they were longing for. That’s why Paul didn’t join their team. He recognized their wrong intentions and motives. Instead, he chose to use God’s approval for him as his barometer.
Once we understand how much we are loved, treasured, adored, chosen, and set apart by God–nothing else matters! What God says about you is more important than anything else!
C’mon sisters. Let’s band together and do some boasting. Give God some glory together. Live out the assignment that has been given to us personally by God. It is possible to conquer green envy by keeping your eyes focused on God. Ask God to reveal His assignment for you today. Ask God to open your eyes to all that He has given to you.
Let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.” Jer. 9:24
Do you believe you can kiss “green envy” goodbye? What is your biggest comparison downfall?
Thanks for this encouraging post. This is very relevant. It’s so easy to fall into that comparison trap, particularly if you feel that you are overlooked while others who have either only joined a place or are less experienced or even talented seem to get that attention you think you deserve. We do need to remember what God tells us about ourselves and how he sees us.