“But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.” 1 Corinthians 12:18

We’ve all, from time to time, wished we could be like somebody else, envying their ability to be confident, successful, to look so good, their possessions, their ease at making friends, just to name a few.

Although the phrase is ancient and, therefore, the origin uncertain, one of the earliest uses of the expression: “green with envy,” came from the pen of William Shakespeare. In Othello, Iago warns Othello, “Beware, my lord, of jealousy; it is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on.”

Why do we envy others? Why does jealousy sneak in like a silent fog, clouding our vision of God’s blessings? It’s usually because we fail to appreciate that God has blessed each person with unique gifts and abilities to be discovered and enjoyed by each one. 

People are constantly working on changing who they are, what they look like, how others perceive them, because they have bought into what others think is acceptable, appreciated or successful.

David, the psalmist wrote that God created each of us “fearfully and wonderfully,” in an amazing way. In Psalm 139:13-14 he writes: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well.“

Therefore, our gifts and blessings are unique to us, just as are those blessings God has given others. He did not make us to be somebody else. Paul wrote about gifts another way, likening us to the individual parts of the human body (1 Corinthians 12:14-26). Each part is unique and important and should be honored as such.

Whenever we feel a twinge of envy or jealousy, let’s remind ourselves to thank God for how He has made and blessed each one of us individually. Then we’ll be able to put our blessings to use for Him and others!

“Hem your blessings with praise, lest they unravel.“
            Author: Unknown