The Cure for “Facebook Envy”: Be Thankful

I do it all the time.  I am simply perusing Facebook to “kill time”, and soon I’m coveting someone else’s family, vacation, job, place of residence, cabin.  Whether it’s an idyllic beach vacation or a creative activity with their kids, their online lives seem so much better than mine- less stressful, more fun, more ideal.  If I admit it, I’ve always been this way-the coveting type.  I envy others’ sense of style, popularity, fun personality, job, or life in general.  You’d think I’d have outgrown this ridiculous habit.  It’s not like I don’t know that there isn’t a single person who hasn’t been touched by this fallen world.  Time and time again, I have idolized a person’s life just to learn of a heart break they’ve endured, usually something much more tragic than I’ve never even come close to experiencing.  Broken relationships, wayward children, contentious relationships, debt, discontentment-dysfunction is rampant, even in the lives of those who have the most convincing Facebook photos. Sure, I stop and give thanks when I’m made aware of these realities, but it never takes long for my contentment issues to sneak back in, convincing me that other’s lives are still somehow better, more fulfilling than mine. 

Just like my recent growing screen addiction, I excuse away my glaring jealousy.  I tell myself it’s not too serious and move on. The problem? It is serious, however; grave, in fact.  The green monster directly conflicts with the basic tenets of our faith.  In James’ “Taming the Tongue” chapter, he exposes the gravity of simple envy saying, “But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.  This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.  For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice” (3:14-15).  Wow!  Despite my efforts to brush it under the rug, this is no light matter.

It shouldn’t surprise me, really.  The truth is that when I’m coveting the alleged simplicity of my friend’s stay-at-home mom status or idyllic neighborhood, I’m violating Christ’s command to “love my neighbor”.  In 1 Corinthians 13, commonly known as “the love chapter”, Paul describes love.  Here he tells us that “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast . . . “and “ . . . rejoices with the truth” (13:4, 6).  Well, that is convicting.  My small habit of putting others’ lives on a pedestal actually prevents me from loving others as I should.  My failure to see the reality of my friends’ and acquaintances’ hardships is a wall barring me from “’bearing’ one another’s burdens” in order to “fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 5:2).  Much to my chagrin, this small habit can actually render me paralyzed in my faith, blind and disobedient to my loving Father.

The seriousness of this sin begs the question: If envy is the disease, what is the cure?  The answer is glaringly obvious.  The easiest way to combat envy is to be thankful.  A quick google search tells me that the Bible mentions the word “thanks” 73 times and phrases that mean “give thanks” 114 times. Take for instance 1 Thessalonians which says, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you” (5:16-18), “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever” (1 Corinthians 16:34), or ”Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful” (Colossians 3:15).  The list could go on for miles. 

Yes.  God’s word gives us a steady barrage of reminders to be thankful scripture wide so that we will acknowledge our need for and dependence on Him.  As with any command he gives, whether it addresses gratitude, purity, forgiveness, or numerous other issues, our obedience benefits us infinitely more than we know.  As Christ is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), living our lives in alignment with his tenets frees us to live the “abundant” life he promises.  One essential tenet is to give thanks-not just when we feel like it, but “in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:16). Imagine the time I could save if I practiced this simple command!

In a fallen world consumed with the need to have the ideal relationship, kids, house, job, vacation home, you name it, contentment is more difficult than ever- and technology’s unrelenting presence does not help.  Lord, please make my heart newly thankful in this month of Thanksgiving and beyond.  You give so many good gifts.  May I always give thanks realizing that “Your steadfast love is better than life” and is cause enough for my “lips to praise you”(Psalms 63:3).