what steals our joy

Asterius of Amasea talks to us today about envy in A Year with the Church Fathers. He says that envy is different from other sins, because it can never be satisfied. Lust, ambition, gluttony... all can finally find their fill. But envy, when you want something just because someone else has it... it can consume you. He says that you have to rip it out by the roots.

Why is that? I think most people have experienced what this is like. One day you're happy, doing your job and enjoying your life. And then you see someone who has something you don't have. Whether it's a new car, a new child, a trip to Europe, or a new job... suddenly you're not happy anymore. Not because something has changed in your life. But because something has changed in your mind. Instead of focusing on what God has given you, you're upset because He's given someone else something you don't have.

Of course, there are solutions to the problem. We can pray, and ask God to teach us to lose our envy. He'll help us. But one of the main ways He helps is by teaching us love. When we love other people, we can genuinely rejoice when they are doing well. We can be happy for THEM, instead of sad for ourselves. Learning to love others translates into "rejoicing with those who rejoice, and weeping with those who weep." It means leaving schadenfreude behind, because we truly are excited for others when things go right in their lives.

Do you feel yourself lacking that genuine love? Ask Him. He IS that genuine love. Not only will He teach you how to love people that way, He will put Himself into your life, and love them through you.

God, please fill us full of Your love, so that envy can't find a place to live in us.