Sometimes it is hard to see the prosperity of others and not feel envious of their life. They seem to have everything they desire and it appears they have no troubles. As the psalmist puts it in Psalm 73: “For there are no pains in their death, And their body is fat. They are not in trouble as other men, Nor are they plagued like mankind (verse 4-5, NASB).”
This is particularly hard when we are struggling through a traumatic event. As the psalmist relates: “Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure And washed my hands in innocence; For I have been stricken all day long And chastened every morning (13-14).” Envy can make us feel like “what’s the point? I am faithful to God; I seek righteousness and look what I get.”
But the psalmist cautions us about envy. “But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling, My steps had almost slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant As I saw the prosperity of the wicked (2-3).” When we start down the path of being envious of others, it can cause us to stumble. It can sow seeds of bitterness. The psalmist described envy as “my heart was embittered And I was pierced within, Then I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before You (21-22).”
The psalmist reminded us of their end: “When I pondered to understand this, It was troublesome in my sight Until I came into the sanctuary of God; Then I perceived their end (16-17). The psalmist added, “For, behold, those who are far from You will perish; You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to You (27).”
When we feel envious about what others have, we should seek God and remember what we have in Jesus. “With Your counsel You will guide me, And afterward receive me to glory,” the psalmist reminded us (24).” We need to remember what the psalmist wrote: “My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever (26).” When envy stalks us, we need to remind ourselves that in God we have all we need: “But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, That I may tell of all Your works (28).”
140 Character Christian 
😊 Blessings.
This is really good. It is certainly a tough battle to face but the result of an envious and bitter life is truly no life at all, at least in the way God intended.
Thanks for the comment. So true, a life filled with bitterness and envy is no life at all. Blessings.
Envy is a particularly difficult thing to avoid in this economy and culture which is built on envy and dissatisfaction with our position and wealth. The remedy is gratitude for our daily bread and satisfaction with our position in Christ our Savior.
Thanks for the comment. As Paul wrote, learning to be content in all circumstances is the answer. Blessings.