Envy

4 Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit. 5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh. 6 Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit. 7 Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun. Ecclesiastes 4:4-7

Here we have a case of someone doing the right thing, working, and his neighbor is envious. Is he envious that the man is working and supporting himself and maybe a family? Envy is a sad emotion that only eats up the one who is envious. Most of the time the person/people you envy do not even know. They are too busy working or enjoying their life.

It appears that the envious man is sitting there with his hands folded and watching others go about doing their work. We all have the same opportunities some just need to work harder than others that is not a reason to envy someone.

Are you harboring envy in your heart? Envy will make one a bitter person.

A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones. Proverbs 14:30 

Do not let the envy get “into your bones”. Ask the Lord to forgive you for envious feelings.

Love looks through a telescope; envy, through a microscope. ~ Josh Billings

Envy is the art of counting the other fellow's blessings instead of your own. ~ Harold Coffin

Have a blessed day, 

Donna

Are you a hoarder?

Hoarding is the excessive collection of items, along with the inability to discard them. – Mayo clinic staff

Having worked with the elderly I have attended in-services on hoarding. Some elderly hoard items, it can be anything from newspapers, styrofoam containers and little jam packets (from a restaurant) to animals (especially cats). It is an extremely sad condition.

What about you? Are you a hoarder?

I can hear it now. “No way”,” I’m neat and orderly”, “If I don’t need it I get rid of it”.

What about hoarding in your mind? Are there thoughts you keep stock piling in your mind?

Thoughts of envy
A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones. Proverbs 14:30

For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 1 Corinthians 3:3

Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:26

For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. James 3:16

Thoughts of Jealousy
For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. Proverbs 6:34

Bitterness or resentment toward someone
Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words: Psalm 64:3

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5:20

Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Hebrews 12:15


Years ago I worked with a man whose mother said, “Don’t let them rent space in your mind”. When you dwell on others and their offenses toward you, you give them control. Our thoughts continually go back to the situation; we hash it and rehash it in our mind.

We need to “let go” give it to God. Ask Him for forgiveness for harboring such thoughts. Don’t let anyone rent space in your mind, keep that space for the Lord to fill with His goodness and greatness.

Steps to a Clean mind

Get rid of the unpleasant thoughts
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2 Corinthians 10:5

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1 Peter 5:7

Keep your mind on Christ
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3

Dwell on good thoughts
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8

Renew your mind
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; Ephesians 4:23

Renewed mind definition in Thayer’s – to be renewed in the mind i.e. spiritually transformed, to take on a new mind. Basically to think differently about the situation.

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Philippians 2:5

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Romans 12:2

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

Focus on God
Ask God to give you the grace to focus on Him and not on others.

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Matthew 22:37

That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:6

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy1:7

... Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
2 Corinthians 13:11

The choice is ours to hoard or not to hoard that is the question.

Have a blessed day,
Donna