I was scrolling down my facebook news feed, unaware of what was lurking nearby.  Without warning it leapt out from where it had been hiding behind a friend’s innocent facebook post.  And in the blink of an eye, it had me firmly in its grip.

It was the “Green-Eyed Monster.”  A.k.a. Envy.  And green with it I was.

My friend was merely inquiring if anyone knew where she might find a Shih Tzu puppy for sale.  I was startled by the intensity and suddenness of my response, not unlike the way our skittish Siamese cat’s tail “poofs” at the slightest provocation.  (More on the cat in a minute.)   

You see, our family once loved a Shih Tzu.  (Only we prefer to pronounce it with a long ‘e’ vowel sound.  It’s less offensive that way.)  For nearly 8 1/2 years, our little “Sandy dog” graced our lives with her sweet personality and gentle ways.  She went to doggie heaven just over two years ago.  Her death left a gaping hole in our home, one we weren’t sure could ever be filled.  So we were in no rush to run out and replace her.

Lately, however, we’ve been missing having a little fluffball (or “rat-dog,” as my husband prefers to call this breed) underfoot.  But two major obstacles stand in the way:  1) an unfenced yard, and 2) the aforementioned cat.  The yard would be an easy enough (albeit expensive) problem to fix.  The cat is another story.  She doesn’t play well with others.  And she has claws.  It’s all fun and games until an unsuspecting puppy gets an eye poked out.

So here we sit.  Dog-less.  Which brings me back to my green-tinged reaction.  And helps me understand it.

Envy always exposes something we desperately want or deeply desire.  There is nothing wrong with the desire in and of itself.  It crosses over into sin, however, when we let the fact that others possess the object of our desire cause us to covet.  Merriam-Webster defines “covet” as  “to feel inordinate desire for what belongs to another.”  (Emphasis mine.)

God is pretty clear on this:

“You must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey (or dog–I added this), or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:17, NLT)

But He never issues a command without also providing the means to obey it.  I wonder if the way to escape the clutches of the green-eyed monster might be found in this verse:

“Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” (1 Corinthians 13:4, NIV)

Now I happen to really love this particular facebook (and real-life) friend.  What if she were to get a cute little Shih (don’t forget, long ‘e’) Tzu pup?  Would I begrudge her the joy this four-legged, furry family member would bring?  Not if I truly loved her.  For “…love does not envy others the happiness which they enjoy…” (Barnes’ Notes on the Bible) 

When I focus on love instead of on what I lack, I find myself wanting what’s best for her.  And I can trust that The God Who Is Love will also provide what is best for me.  (Shih Tzus for everyone!)  Love loosens envy’s grasp and frees us from its control.

Au Revoir, Envy.  Hello, Love.

(Green was never a good color on me anyway.)