In my novel, The Shattered Vase, the main character, Suzie, has a struggle with covetting her husband’s new mansion. This is not exactly coveting thy neighbor’s house but it may be much more than that because coveting is listed among the Ten Commandments.
Exodus 20:17 “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor’s.”
I have been thinking of this a lot lately.
I had a problem with this when my husband moved out and married his second wife. I thought he should be homeless. Instead, the Lord blessed him and his wife with a beautiful home and a swimming pool in the backyard.
I would stay awake at night bound by the torture of envy, crying out to God for justice.
At that point in my life I had not yet become honest with owning all that I had done to destroy my marriage. I blamed it all on my husband, which for the record, was entirely unfair and blatantly dishonest.
Then one night I heard the voice of my Lord. “You need to stop looking at what they have and start looking at what I have done for you.”
Those words from the Holy Spirit broke the bonds of envy. I started enjoying what I had. I had a house which was paid for, three healthy and wonderful children, a safe neighborhood and good schools. In addition, I had an educational level which enabled me to secure a job where I could set my schedule around the needs of my children.
Most important though, I had a God who wanted me to enjoy gratefulness instead of envy.
For those who are bound by envy, may I suggest a way out? Thank God for the wonder He has created for you. It may not be as much as your neighbor has but it is what God has given you.
If you swim deep in the beautiful ocean of gratefulness you will escape the sharks of envy which eat at your very soul.
If you would love to read a book which is captivating, yet full of wisdom please purchase The Shattered Vase by Gracie Lynne. Just click on the following link. https://store.bookbaby.com/book/The-Shattered-Vase
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