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"Let everyone be sure to do his very best, for then he will have the personal satisfaction of work done well and won’t need to compare himself with someone else." (Galatians 6:4 LB) Truth be told, you cannot be happy and envious at the same time. In fact, one of the greatest secrets of having happiness in your life is learning how to eliminate envy. Just acknowledging that you struggle with envy can be painful, but it is the first step toward a change of values and a more mature spiritual life. God says the way you change envy is by changing your perspective. While you may not be able to completely change the feelings that cause envy, you can change the way you look at things, and that will eliminate envy from your life. To change your perspective, the first thing you have to do is stop comparing yourself to others. The Bible says satisfaction comes from doing your best, not comparing yourself to others: “Let everyone be sure to do his very best, for then he will have the personal satisfaction of work done well and won’t need to compare himself with someone else” (Galatians 6:4 LB). Take an envy self-examination. Do you compare your life, your home, your husband, your kids — even your lawn — to other people’s? This exam may reveal some surprises and show you that there are more important things to do than compare yourself or what you have to others. When you strive to be the person God made you to be, you’ll find real meaning, purpose, fulfillment, and satisfaction. You can’t focus on your purpose while looking at other people. Talk About It
Learn how to be a DOER of God’s Word. Rick Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., one of America's largest and most influential churches. Rick is author of the New York Times bestseller "The Purpose Driven Life." His book, "The Purpose Driven Church," was named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the 20th century. He is also the founder of Pastors.com, a global Internet community for pastors. This devotional © 2012 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission. |
