A sound heart is life to the body, But envy is rottenness to the bones.
Proverbs 14:30
You have likely heard the saying, "It is not what you're eating; it's what is eating you."
Long before science proved that negative emotions such as envy would devastate your health, Solomon summed this truth up in his proverb.
True contentment is a source of inner peace that nurtures us, while envy corrodes and destroys the well-being of our soul and physical health.
Envy is that discontent emotion you feel when you focus on the possessions or qualities of others. If this stressful, negative emotion is stored in your body, it will always override even the healthiest diet.
Envy can produce stress, disrupt sleep, distort thinking, and upset digestion.
By contrast, the inward peace that comes from accepting what God has given may actually improve your physical condition.
In this era of social media, envy has found fertile ground with the various platforms that showcase carefully curated highlight reels of people's lives. This constant exposure to seemingly perfect lifestyles can fuel your feelings of envy and breed discontentment.
If you measure your worth and identity on possessions or qualities of others, envy will soon fester as your focus shifts from God's blessing to what others possess.
If you leave these thoughts and emotions unchecked, envy, like a cancer, will soon compromise your physical and mental health.
To stay content in a world of comparison and greed, be vigilant about the influences that trigger envy in your life. This can vary depending on your circumstances.
The antidote for envy is to start by thanking God for what He has given you. Then, strive to support others in their unique journey and have a heart of genuine happiness for those who may enjoy things you don't have.
By doing so, the blinders will be lifted for you to enjoy the unique gifts God has given you and the specific purpose He has designed you for.
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