Do You Envy?
Remember the story of Cain and Abel?
That’s a story of envy. And it’s the story of the entire human race. It’s a story that is replayed over and over again in families, in organizations, in churches, in offices, in schools…
Cain and Abel were brothers. Cain and Abel offered a sacrifice to God and Abel’s sacrifice was accepted and Cain’s was not. Result? Cain envied Abel and killed him. (Genesis 4:6-8)
The spirit of Cain is the spirit of envy—and it continues today.
Today, we want to cast out the spirit of Cain from our lives.
Problem: We Don’t Know We’re Envious
Many envious people don’t know they’re envious.
In fact, right now, you might be tempted not to read, saying, “Nah, not my issue.”
Actually, envy is as common as the common cold. But it’s as deadly as cancer. It’s like a mental cancer that destroys your life, your relationships, and your happiness.
I repeat. Often, we don’t know we’re envious.
Let me give you two examples.
I know of a young woman who fights with her sister all the time. She doesn’t know it, but everyone around her knows she’s envious.
I know of a prayer group leader who is always talking about the mistakes of another prayer group leader. He’s not aware of his envy. But all his friends know. He actually envies this other leader because his prayer group is much larger than his.
Oh yes, envy is alive and well in Church.
In fact, I’ve seen religious groups split and fight each other simply because one leader was envious of another leader.
But here’s the thing: the leader doesn’t think he’s envious. He thinks he’s correcting the other leader’s pride. He thinks he’s mandated by God Himself to correct this other leader and save the group from total destruction.
But ironically, the very thing that will destroy his group is his own envy. An envy he doesn’t know he has.
Envy is one of the most destructive things on planet earth.
Let me say it again. Envy kills.
The Two Phases Of Envy
Envy is a green monster that doesn’t begin monstrous.
This monster begins tiny.
I believe there are two phases in the growth of Envy.
Phase 1:
Meron Ka, Bakit Wala Ako?
(Why don’t I have what you have?)
When I was in Grade School, I remember one of my classmates. His name was Ariel.
I remember him so well because he had everything I didn’t have.
For example, his grades were always excellent.
One day, our teacher distributed our report cards in class. When she gave Ariel’s report card to him, she announced, “All of Ariel’s grades are above 90.”
When she gave my report card to me, one my classmates shouted, “All of Bo’s grades are below 75.” (Actually, that was a lie. All my grades were below 78. Hmph!)
Ariel was also an incredible athlete. You name it—basketball, baseball, football, running—he was the star player.
One day, Ariel saw us playing marbles. He joined the game and beat all of us, bringing home all our marbles.
The next day, he saw a bunch of girls seated playing jackstone. Ariel joined them and beat all of them as well. (He made exhibition tricks with the jackstone that will astound Houdini.)
To top it all, he was also handsome. He had a fans club of girls following him. At that time, I didn’t know how that felt. (Now I know. J)
As a kid, I asked God many times, “Lord, why did you make Ariel so gifted? And why did you make me so ungifted?”
It was a question I asked for a long time.
It wasn’t like I had zero gifts. I knew I had at least one gift: I knew how to draw well.
One day, our homeroom teacher raffled off our names in class. We picked one classmate and made him a greeting card on the spot.
I smiled. I knew I was a pretty good illustrator. So making a greeting card was a cinch.
I remember drawing Superman in my greeting card.
Finally, when our teacher told us to give our cards to each other, guess who came to me? Ariel. He picked my name. And he handed me his greeting card. When I saw it, my jaw dropped.
His card was so beautiful, you’d think Hallmark did it. Ariel was ten times better than me in drawing.
To this day, I still remember his card. It had a professionally drawn luxury ship. It said, “I like blue ships, I like red ships, but most of all, I like friendship. Ariel.”
Before that day, I wondered if I was the most ungifted person in the entire world. That day, I stopped wondering. I knew without a shadow of a doubt.
I was it.
I remember asking God, “Lord, why do you love Ariel so much? Why don’t you love me?”
That’s what Envy is.
It makes you focus on the blessings of the other person.
In Phase 1 of Envy, we ask, Meron ka, bakit wala ako? (Why don’t I have what you have?)
In Phase 1 of Envy, we don’t want to kill anyone. I didn’t want to harm Ariel.
But Phase 1 Envy ends up killing the envier himself.
Envy “Kills” The Envier
I repeat. Envy is mental cancer.
It’s like a tumor that keeps growing until it kills you.
Another analogy: Envy is a lethal, slow-acting poison.
It doesn’t kill you right away. But over time, it kills.
The Bible is so graphic when it describes what envy does to you. It says, envy rots the bones (Proverbs 14:30).
Many psychotherapists say that almost all mental diseases will have envy in its core.
Why does envy kill the envier?
Because envy, once nurtured, always comes with shame.
And shame always kills the spirit.
I should know. I was filled with the spirit of shame for decades. Even to this day, though I’m already free, I still feel the scars left by shame in my heart.
You feel ashamed of yourself because you don’t have what others have. Shame shouts in your ear, “There’s something wrong with you!”
Shame will make you do crazy things, just to get accepted.
Let me tell you about Carla.
Carla was a manager in a bank. And she became friends with some of her rich clients, all successful businesswomen.
Everytime they met, she’d see her friends carry Prada and Louis Vuiton bags.
But all of these were beyond her small paycheck. She felt envious. To keep up with her friends’ lifestyle, she used her 3 credit cards. Before she knew it, she was buried in a huge mountain of debts.
But if we keep on nurturing Envy, it graduates to Phase 2.
And Phase 2 Envy is even more dangerous.
Phase 2:
Wala Ako, Dapat Wala Ka Rin!
(If I don’t have any, you shouldn’t have any too)
This is when envy becomes cruel and destructive not only to yourself, but to others. Envy will now kill two people—the envier and the one being envied.
My analogy: Envy is like a cannibal. But an insane cannibal. He eats others and eats parts of himself as well.
Emily and Pam were both sales agents. But after two years, Pam got promoted as sales manager. Emily was happy for her best friend. Or at least, she pretended to be happy. They even had a little party together to celebrate Pam’s promotion.
But as the weeks went by, problems came up. Pam couldn’t believe Emily’s transformation. From being her best friend, Emily became her worst enemy. Emily would criticize Pam in front of others. Emily would gossip about her and tell all kinds of lies about her.
What was Emily’s problem? Phase 2 Envy.
Phase 2 Envy is Cain’s Envy. (Genesis 3:2-8)
Cain used a rock and bashed it on his brother’s head.
We don’t use physical rocks but we use something as deadly—the rocks of our words.
We may not desire his physical death. But we conspire for some kind of death. What kind? Social death. We want the person we envy to be humiliated. To lose face.
How Do You Know If You Have Envy?
You won’t know if you have envy by asking, “Am I envious?” Because we’re usually blind to our own envy.
Here are three questions to ask to know if you have Phase 2 Envy.
Question 1:
Is There Anyone I Don’t Like?
Sometimes, we don’t like someone because he offended us or hurt us.
But sometimes, we don’t know why we don’t like someone. We can’t explain it.
This doesn’t automatically mean you have envy. But it means you’ve got to ask the second question.
Question 2:
What Does He Have That I Don’t Have—
But Want To Have?
If the other person has something you don’t have but you want to have, then it’s probably envy.
When a woman envies another woman because she’s sexier, thinner, and more beautiful, she’ll start poking holes on her life or his character.
“Yes, she’s sexy, but she’s unhappy with her marriage.” Or, “Yes, she’s physically beautiful, but I think she’s very self-centered.”
When it gives you pleasure to criticize the other person, then you can almost be sure you’ve got Phase 2 Envy.
Question 3:
Will I Be Secretly Delighted If He Falls?
You know you’ve got Phase 2 Envy if you secretly delight to hear the falls, faults, fumbles, and failures of the other person. We find delicious satisfaction in knowing he’s getting his just rewards for being “too proud”.
We even spread the “sad” news around. If we’re religious, we justify spreading it around by first saying, “Let’s pray for Sue. The one you see driving a brand new Mercedes? Yes, that’s her. I heard that her marriage is falling apart…”
Going To The Root Of All Envy
Envy is only a symptom.
The root of all Envy is Emptiness.
Envy isn’t about the other person. Envy is always about a deep dissatisfaction with yourself.
Here’s the point: A person who is happy with himself—and profoundly satisfied with himself—cannot envy others. It’s impossible.
Where does the feeling of emptiness and insecurity come from? It comes from fear. Specifically, the fear of worthlessness.
And friend, there is only one thing that can fill your emptiness and heal your fear of worthlessness: God’s Love.
Two Powerful Steps To Get Rid Of Envy
Last week, I said that the antidote to impatience is trust in God’s Love.
Today, I’d like to announce to you that the antidote to envy is gratitude for God’s Love.
You show gratitude in two ways. And I believe these are the only two ways to get rid of Envy.
Step One:
Celebrate Your Abundance
Many years ago, Dad gave me his second hand car.
It was a wonderful car. It was a 12-year old Mitsubishi Galant, but even if it was old, I still loved it.
I loved the smooth ride. I loved the cool aircon. I loved the cassette player. (This was really a long time ago.) I loved its powerful engine.
Even if it was ancient, it never gave me any problems on the road.
I remember sitting on the driver’s seat, patting it on the dashboard, and uttering, “Thank you Lord for my wonderful car.”
I was so grateful to God.
But one morning, my friend came to the house with his a brand new Nissan. He was a salesman and his company gave him the car. He said, “Bo, I’d like you to be the first person to ride my car.”
We took it for a spin.
Man, the ride was fantastic. You’d think there were no bumps on the road. And I almost froze inside—the aircon was really strong. And the stereo sounds were superb, it was like Gary V was in the car with us, singing his songs live.
And most importantly, it had that new car smell.
Ahhh….
That day, when I went back to my old car, I had a problem.
All of a sudden, it wasn’t so wonderful anymore.
I could feel the bumps on the road that I didn’t feel before. I now could hear squeaking sounds that I didn’t hear before.
And the smell—it had that old car smell! (I could smell Tinapa!)
Instantly, my gratitude was gone.
But when I noticed the lack of gratitude within me, I stopped the car, closed my eyes, placed my hand on my dashboard, and started thanking God for what I had.
I began to recount the blessings of having a car.
Slowly, feelings of gratitude returned.
From my experience, when you’re grateful, you’re satisfied with what you have. And when you’re satisfied with what you have, envy will have a hard time finding a foothold in your heart.
When you’re grateful for God’s blessings in your life, slowly, you’ll be grateful for God’s blessings in the lives of others too.
I also did something else: I started thanking God for my friend’s brand new car. I prayed that his job be blessed even more.
And that brings us to Step Two.
Step Two:
Celebrate Their Abundance
Be genuinely happy for other people’s successes.
Share in their joy. Share in their victory.
In fact, I don’t want you just to be happy when it happens.
I encourage you to pray that it happens.
Pray that your officemates get the promotion, your single friends get married, your siblings get good breaks.
When you do this, something magical will happen to your life. Because there’s a Law in the universe that states that what you give, you’ll receive in abundance. (Luke 6:38)
Here’s what I believe: If you envy the blessings that other people receive, you’re driving away those blessings from your life. But if you’re genuinely grateful for the blessings other people receive, you’ll attract those exact same blessings into your life more easily.
Once you experience this genuine happiness for others, that’s the day you know that you’re free from envy.
And this is where other people’s success becomes a real inspiration. “If he can do it, I can do it too.”
Is There Such A Thing As Positive Envy?
Someone asked me, “Bo, isn’t there some type of positive envy? For example, when you see your friend’s business booming, you work hard so that your business will boom too?”
Perhaps it’s not envy but encouragement.
It’s easy to know if it’s envy or encouragement.
Do you wish him ill? Or do you wish him well?
If you wish him ill, then it’s envy. But if you wish him well (that he prospers more in his life so you’ll even be more inspired), then it’s encouragement.
Encouragement says, “If he can do it, I can do it too.”
Envy says, “Who does he think he is?”
Envy comes with anger. Encouragement comes with an abundance mindset—that there’s more than enough for everyone.
You Need To Believe In Abundance
I got this analogy from Brian Kim’s blog.
Imagine watching a movie with a very large bucket of popcorn. The bucket is so large, it’s as big as a bathtub. (Okay, slightly smaller, or you won’t fit on your seat.)
When you pick up the first kernel, it slips through your fingers and falls on the dirty floor of the movie house.
Question: Will you pick it up and eat it? I doubt it. Because there’s still a gigantic bucket of popcorn in front of you.
This is what I mean by having an abundance mindset.
When your friends get blessed, it doesn’t lessen your chance of being blessed. Because you don’t live in a limited universe. In God’s Kingdom, there is no scarcity of blessings. There is only abundance. The universe is a giant bucket of blessings that will never run out.
Envy lives in a universe of scarcity.
Love lives in a universe of abundance.
In fact, I’m praying that all of you become wealthy in every area of your life!
Be free from envy.
And truly love.
May your dreams come true,
Bo Sanchez
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Filed under: Blogs by bosanchez
Be genuinely happy for other people’s successes.
Share in their joy. Share in their victory.
Love it.!
Hi Bo!
Thanks for the very good article as always. It made me think really hard hehe. Now I have to watch for how I feel about someone, maybe I am envious of him/her without knowing it.
God bless you more!
Dear Brother Bo,
You are so right when you said almost everyone is unaware that they are envious… Thanks for this article that allows me to examine myself and to have a better mindset… The mindset of being grateful because God’s universe is abundant!
Thank you for reminding me that I have to wish others what I wish for myself…
Every Monday, I am always excited to read your blog because it lightens me up….
May GOD continue to bless you more and more!
Joy Payumo
This blog is a great way to start my weekday. Keep on writing Bro. Bo, and let us continue to learn how to become more like Jesus everyday. Thanks!
Brother Bo,
Thank you for another inspiring and enlightening post. It’s not always comfortable to see myself in the situations you write about but it is truly enlightening to acknowledge my shortcomings.
God bless you!
Thank you God for giving us Bo to be our eye opener of the many mistakes we do to our brothers and sisters. If there is one thing that I’ve learned today is that to accept who you are and to change for the better without having to step on others blessings …..
Hi Bro Bo,
I always think of ways how to get rid of that anger because of insecurities because I admit, the spirit of envy is in me. But I don’t end up happy with the ways I know. Thank you so much for pointing out that two steps -celebrate MY abundance and celebrate THEIR abundance.
Hope to read more inspiring articles
Thank you Lord. This is awesome and rally inspiring message.
Very enlightening article. Thank you so much for making me realize and help rectify my mistakes . God bless you.
Your blog makes me feel hopeful and encouraged. Thank you so much. Just one question, during the closing portion where you wrote:
“Envy lives in a universe of scarcity.
Love lives in a universe of scarcity.”
Was there a typo here? Was it meant to read: Love lives in a university of abundance or gratitude?
I mean, univerSE not university. These auto-correct functions can be helpful and also not helpful. Hay naku.
Hi Brother Bo,
This is very timely. I am actually in the stage of trying to cast envy. Just signed up for a business venture and I like to start with the right perspective to make it right.
Thanks for this soulfood. Very helpful.
God’s word spoken to me today…hit the nail right on the head. Thanks, Bro. Bo! God bless you more!
Thank you Bro. Bo for another very inspiring message this Monday! God Bless you!
Hi Bro Bo..
I love the analogy of Brian Kim too..
Thank you for sharing this wonderful article!
Hi Mr. Bo.
This is such an eye-opener, as always. But I got a little confused on what you wrote on the near end of your message:
“Envy lives in a universe of scarcity.
Love lives in a universe of scarcity.”
Did you really mean “scarcity”" or “abundance” where love lives? or i did not understand this last mesasge well? (only good intentions meant)
Nevertheless, i want you to know, your writings engraved values in my life. I am so grateful to God that I had the opportunity to learn how to read.
May you be God’s instrument for a very long time.
Thank you for this inspiring message. I am humbled to know that I was envious. You enlightened me, Bro Bo. God bless and may you continue to inspire us through your articles.
I am humbled to know that I was envious. Thank you, I am enlightened. Bro Bo. God bless and may you continue to inspire us through your articles.
Thank you Bro. Bo for the foods of our souls! very timely….May God Bless you more.
thank you for this article. i now realized that i’m envy of someone and i want to change it. thank you and God bless you always!
Hi Bro Bo,
I was enlightened by your article Bro Bo, I hope and pray I’ll be totally contented with my life, counting out all of God’s blessing to me and my family….
Thank you Bro Bo..God bless you more!
I am blessed thanks and God bless…
Good morning!
Thank you for the great messages. I am a new member here, I thought you forgot to send me one. :)) coz’ everyday I kept checking and waiting for your article.
Every article I have read from you Bro. Bo, inspires me alot. I can’t wait reading it. I shared your stories to my mother and sister too. Hoping and praying that theybwill desire JESUS in their hearts too…
Keep up the good work…
PS…
Please pray that my son and I will be able to reunite again with my husband, who is in US right now under treatment for his brain cancer..I know he loves JESUS alot, he is a Bible Walker, he got me into it. He knows alot verse by verse but doesn’t apply what has been written. I keep encouraging via email. Pls pray for us….
thanks Bo! just at the right time.God bless us!
Bro Bo, Thank you so much it really inspired me…
Thank you for this article… you wote it in a way that people in my young age can enjoy.. I feel happy to read your thouhts here.
I know a mere thank you is not enough, but still THANK YOU VERY MUCH…
Hi! Bro. Bo,
Thanks, very inspirational… worth sharing to my kids…
God Bless us all!
Good one, Bro. Bo..
Thanks for sharing this.. God bless.. ^_^
your message makes me reflect on certain things that is happening in my life. then, i prayed… “help me to overcome this situation”. after that… i can start my day right..thank you so much bo..if you only knew how big is your influenced in my life through your articles and books…GOD bless you and your family..
Hi Bo,
You know what’s my reaction is? OUCH!!! 100% I’m envious. And I thank God for giving me a time to read this from top to bottom. Thank you Bo.
nice article. this is worth sharing as there are a lot of Abel and Cain in the whole universe. Cheers for more inspirational stories like this….
I am really blessed Sir. Thank you for sharing this… I have so many blessings and still counting.. God speed.
Thank you so much for this Bro. Bo. It was so right.
God Bless!
thank you bro. Bo..i should remember it always and share it to everyone..Godbless and more power,,,!!
Just when I needed it the most. Many thanks for the enlightenment.
Sometimes great things start with a little “envy” feeling but turns out to really be encouragement
Every week I have to make sure that I will read your weekly article. It helped me a lot as a person. And I really do share what I read, apply on my own too. Thank you so much for inspiring us weekly.
More blessings to all of us,
Hi Mr. Bo,
I’ve come to know you from a dear father Noel, from Philphine who serves in Indonesia for sometimes now.
Since then I’ve been reading your blog.
They’re awsome!!
Above all I thank God for you.
You’re God’s blessing to everyone anywhere in the world.
May God Almighty bless you, your loved ones and your community abundantly
I do hope more people will be able to read your articles, especially this one. This article reminds me of someone who I know is very envious of me, that she delights every time I make mistakes or every time I fail. She pretends to be concerned about me; but I know with the way she says things about me, although delivered jokingly, that she’s trying to put me down. Worse, she always does it in front of other people. I know it’s coming from her insecurities and I know I am the wiser one so I should be patient with her, but sometimes it really hurts — especially when that person is a family member.
Thank you, Bo!
Thank you Lord God for sending us your angel BO SANCHEZ.
great article
thanks, may we all achieve abundance…
I love how this was beautifully written. Thank you Bro. Bo for people like you! Thank you God for all the wonderful people!
Thanks, Bro. Bo!
I’m guilty… maybe…. just unaware. Next time, I’ll try to examine myself and pray that God will help me. I still prefer to be at peace with everyone.
God bless!
Wow. This is truly enriching and inspiring. Your words have touched my soul again Bro. Bo. Just like what other people say here, “It’s so timely.”
I like what you said about abundance mindset. It makes me not want to feel sorry for myself for not having the things I want in life - right now. I just have to be thankful for what God has given me and will give to me at the right time.. =)
hi bro. Bo,
thanks brother in Christ for the inspiration as always… may God continue to shower us more blessings and good health…
May you also be wealthy in all ares of your life Bro. Bo. Thank you.
Thanks for this, Bro.
Let me celebrate my abundance and other’s abundance, too.
Abundance abound.There is more than enough for everyone, indeed!
To Him be the glory!
hello brod bo..thanks again for this piece..i am reminded again that i am so blessed.. thank you for being an instrument..
God bless you more
oh I love reading your articles! it makes me a better person..right there and then i could examine my self , really worth sharing!
Thank you Bro. Bo, for this wonderful article…
GOD bless…
Anothe Inspiring & Soul awakening Article
Thank you & Godbless Bro. Bo
thanks bro bo , sending me inspirational message
God works in mysterious ways…
I have been battling with these feelings and i am at lost on how I can overcome my weaknesses..
and somehow after reading your article, I know that this is a way of God to help me be a better version of myself…
thank you for the words you’ve shared with us…it meant a lot to me..
Bro. Bo,
I have to admit this: I am envious! Although I don’t admit it, but it shows! Thank you for reminding me that the antidote to envy is love. A nice article, God bless you!
Tom
HI Bo,
I hope you can help me pray for my Brother who i feel hates me to the bones because i did not went thru the hardships in life that he went thru. I am the youngest and felt the completeness of a family when he didn’t. He witnessed the hardships of my mom and the way they were treated when he was young. I feel it deeply wounded his heart for him not to love me and my mother. I just need your prayer for him/ us family to be healed.
Thank you,
Anton
Thaks Bro. Bo for a very inspiring Monday message. I will share this to my wife and my kids.
thanks bro. bo for your continuous effort through inspiring articles like this that encourage us to become a blessing for others.god bless you and your family.
thanks, Bro. Bo. for this wonderful article. it provide me a certain realization about what i am going thru right now.
Bro. Bo,
Your article has changed the way I see the things around me , that all the more I should see every blessing other people receive as an encouragement for me to go on and not limit myself for that particular thing bearing in mind the abundance of the universe that God has created for everyone.
Thank you so much
May God bless you more !!!
Thanks for this beautiful article!
praise God and thank God for His inspiring message…keep up His good works
really nice!
Dear Brother Bo:
Thank you for taking time to send us a beautiful message about abundance….May God bless you, your family and your business more and more….
Letty
An eye-opener for a stiff mind. A very inspiring read this morning.
bo,
yes bo its really inspiring that it hit me thanks for enlightening!
Hi Bo,
This episode of soul food hit me bulls eye. Thank you. However, something bothers me.. You said, “If he can do it, I can do it too!” Is this not a bit of arrogance? Because people are not the same, in talent, in intelligence, in strategy, etc. Of course it encourages, but one is not assured of the same outcome. Is it not better said: “If he can do it, I can do it too, because God shows me how, and God gives me the wisdom and strength to do it”. I would not claim the success, therefore. Hehehe, just giving my mind, Bro. Bo.
(Please do not publish this)
I’m so blessed to read this article. A very good reminder, Bo! God bless you more!
Hi Bo,
Thanks for this reminder! I realized now, invy is within me. The attitude of being annoyed with people around us, means INVY? We always think people around us are not deserving of blessings they received…
I tried to combat my temper and controlling myself whenever the surrounding is unfavorable..
This is really an awakening for me.
thanks again!
God bless to all!
thank you bro. bo. for the inspiring message…more power
thank you so much. a very very timely article for me.
hello bro.bo! thank you for giving me another lesson how to be a good christian. frankly you’ve hitted bulls-eye again! yes
i have that character of envy and prayed that to God how to escape.thank you for this article you’ve shared. i learned a lot and i pray that i always believe that there is abundance for all. more power and God bless…
Hi Bro Bro,
I attended your teaching on “Envy” in your Feast and now having read this again reminded me to count by blessings again and again.
God bless!
Hi Bo,
Please enlighten me. I feel i have phase1 envy. But i am confused because it’s not that I want what she has. I just felt she is the object of the unfair policy in our company. But I don’t wish her ill. As a result of this feeling, I don’t want to see her or even hear her voice. I kept praying I’ll be strong enough to handle it. Am I being envious?
To give you a short overview, in our company, ‘padrino’ system is very rampant. She was hired as bookkeeper despite her zero experience in the field and despite her being a non-accountancy graduate. There were 4 applicants, the three of us are all accounting grad w/ vast experience in the field. She was chosen. She was my close friend but right now I can’t be her close friend because I can’t hide my emotion. She didn’t have the decency to decline when she honestly know she’s not qualified. I don’t hate her, I hate the system.
Hi Bo,
Thanks for reminding us to be contented and happy of what we have and be thankful and appreciative of all the blessings that God has given us. It will be better to take things positively, if you want to have what other people has…you should be encourage to strive for it.
God bless u.
I like this inspiring message a lot. It reminds me of being envy to others, it tells me that i envied of them. thank you so much bro bo for this very inspiring article
Thank you, I really needed that. I think it has become a problem for me, affecting some serious things in my life like marriage, family, and friends. I have always been aware of my envy for others but never was sure on how to control it. I know now if the it strikes me that I must stop and realize what I have and not what I not have. This issue affects dramaticaly that I lose control and may cause some serious damage to myself and others as well. This is something for me to really work on I admit. I know it won’t be instant it may take years to really get better but might never go away. I am not afraid though to take this chance. Thanks Bo!
Thank you Bo for such a wonderful advise. Very inspiring message. More power to you Bo and God bless.
I so love this….. I feel I have felt this once in a while when I fear worthless….. but yes, I try to focus on my blessings more and think of the things I have now….. thanks for this incite and reminder……. May God Bless you more and more!
hi Bo. I really want to see you in person and hear your talks. It made me realize that I was envious with my classmates thinking they have all the things I want that I dont have and that is the reason why I feel so sad this past days.
your article hits me. a bulls’eye.hehe
thank you so much.
What a beautiful article and an eye opener. Praise God!
Thank you sir for another and encouraging blog.
I’ve learned a lot.
God bless you more!
wow!
very very very beautiful !
Spirit filled. Genius!
God bless you Bro. Bo
Hi Bo,
Thank you to my friend give me your book Bo.
1st time I ready I like it and starting googling and found your website.. It was very inspiring and englighting articles!
Yesterday on my birthday i have problem which makes me feel sad and worst but today i feel much better when i read your article today.
Thank you Bo. Pse send more inspires articles.
What an eye opener! I thank God for blessing us a Bo… like you!
Yes I do envy! Thank you for this message Bro. Bo. now i will be more careful…and just be happy to other people blessings..
Thanks Bo!
Your article saved me.
Dear Brother Bo,
Thank you so much for enlightening me. I have a boyfriend that I really love so much…but the problem is, he has another girlfriend (pero sa text lang) and he said that he loves the girl…I felt that he loves her even he loves me…I am so envious of this girl because she was not here, she never felt what i am felling right now…I was the one who was dealing with all his anger and sometimes when he was mad at me, all the bad things that comes from his mouth, that you cannot really swallow…I am older than he is, so I have to understand him…but what really bothers me is that, i was really envious of this girl because she was loved by my boyfriend even from a far…I was thinking, i was the one who was making sacrifices and he was not really bothered about my feelings…he would always say “wag mo akong pakialaman sa ginagawa ko” parang sampal na sa mukha ko ang nangyayari pero heto pa rin ako, mahal na mahal ko ang taong ito…sometimes I was just praying that sana, kunin na lang siya nung girl sa akin…para tapos na…Brother Bo…I am really in pain right now…I really wanted to die na lang and be with my mother in God’s care…I would like to ask God if there is really someone for me…I am in my early 40’s and really desperate to have a family of my own…I am really at lost…PLEASE help!!!
this article is very enlightening and serves as a self-check. i always say that I am not envious to other people but there are times that I feel the different symptons as mentioned in the article. there’s one lady in my life whose role, i suppose, is to always look for loopholes in every people’s lives. she does not have a good word for anybody. now, i understand her behavior — her life is so empty inspite of her high education, high position. her life is full of envy, full of failures in her family, full of negative outlook in life. I hope she reads Brother Bo’s article and she can feel the blessed feeling I have had. Thanks Bo. God bless.
wooohhw…sad to say but I envy other’s blessings..=(
but never in my life laughed at someone else’s misfortune.. when I started thinking of the blessings that I have..,
I began to feel better..you know , the question ”
what’s right about me? instead of what’s wrong about me?”
Thanks bro. Bo!
Sir Bo,
As always Sir Bo, Spot on! Guilty as charged! Thank you
very much.
Bo, what should we do if we are the one being envied upon? Thanks.
Tanx bo a lot……an eye opener on my part…
this article made me do some worthy introspection.. praise God for His Love.. Overflowing and equal for all of us.
Dear Sir Bo,
Thank you for the nice stories youre sending us. I love reading them. Naka ka relate ako and nakaka inspire. It really helps a lot especially me who is living alone and malayo sa pamilya..
Thank you and God bless… more power!
hello Bo,
i really like the article, so inspiring….
“envy lives in universe of scarcity
love lives in universe of abundance”….you’re right Bo! love it!
Bro Bo,
Thanks for the very inspiring message…
God Bless you & your ministry…..
Thank You Bro Bo!
Very timely. I am supposed to sleep right now, but I didn’t. I am really bothered with a co-employee who started not to talk to me even if I know I hadn’t done something to her. I thoughT we are teammates because we work for the same Grade Level. I was thinking that giving my initiatives in making the plans and others for the upcoming celebration
would make her feel good as a team. Sadly, she started to act like that. But anyway, I am at least enlightened. I never wanted her to act like that.
Thank you Bro. Bo for such an enlightening article about
ENVY. GOOD NIGHT!
Thanks Bro Bo….very nice… envy is one of the deadly sins.
Thanks for reminding us…
GODBLESS always …
This has been very enlightening to me! Just this morning, my insecurities crawled in big time to the point that I cried out to God if I really don’t deserve such happiness. I have been having this skin allergies on and off since February and it really grew ugly. Good thing, I cut the drama due to some important schedules and went on with my life today. I just read your blog tonight and I was reminded of something which I want to add in Step 2, mentioned from T. Harv Eker’s Secrets of the Millionaire Mind, the Huna Philosophy of Hawaii that says: “Bless that which you want.” I was totally enlightened for the nth time tonight! Again, thank you Bro Bo! God bless and more power!
We are living in the universe full of blessings. There is no reason to be envy. Thank you for another blessing inpiration from you Mr. Sanchez. God bless!
The message inspires me more to become grateful to God’s Love despite my inequities…I will remain happy with my family and friends who are successful in all aspects.
Thank you for that great message and reminder that “The Antidote of Envy is Gratitude for God’s Love….because He died for us!
Ironically the Cross was the greatest failure. but it gave the world its greatest Mercy.
More power and keep on inspiring others Brother Bo!
Thanks Bo
this is a very nice article especially i easily get envious with other people especially with my friends and my sister who cooks very well. tahnk you for enlightening me .
God Bless you. i miss joining the feast because my ojt is finish already,
hello po. napaisip tuloy ako, am I envious? am I genuinely happy sa blessings na nakukuha ng iba? hmnn.. mahirap sagutin.
salamat po, this serves as a reminder for me.
God bless everyone!
Thanx much Bro Bo ..Godbless U!!
It smiles me while reading the article along the way it simply because it’s true and I was one of those who envied others. Sometimes, our limitations for being human draws these kind of feelings and somehow will give us wisdom by realizing and admitting that we are wronged and such being envious is not in God’s perspective to who really we are. Our life journey is process, a dynamic process that need some adjustments in every situation to make us whole, whole human being in God’s way. And along that process, we failed, we bumped, we lost and we need reminders and enlightenment to make us straight and refocus in our truly journey of life. And one of those reminders is this very inspiring and awesome article from our brother Bo whose God’s wisdom is being delivered thru him as His messenger for those who diligently following his weekly article so those followers will eventually become the “salt” to other people’s lives.
All the best and more power brother Bo. God bless you more and your tribe!
amazing article…a very nice way to reflect on our attitude…
Brother bo, is envy as same as jealousy? if not i think that it would help if you would discuss jealousy on your next article. thanks a lot. keep on changing lives for God, continue bringing people closer to God.
Thanks for this article bro. Bo. Just a question, so what happened to Ariel? Any news about him?
Hi, Bo…. Your articles always gave me inspiration and knowledge… Thanks for sharing your gifts…
Bro. Bo,
I love you even before you were not speaking of riches but of God’s love only. I love you even more now that you enriched yourself and want to enrich others!!!
Thank God for Bo!
Oli
Dear bro. bo,
Good day! Every time you send a soulfood articles to us,I am very excited to read it.I know your articles will helps us to be a better christian.More power and heaven send ka sa amin.
MArie
Another inspiring article that will help me to examine myself. Lord help me not to be envied with other people’s blessings. Thank you for all the blessings you continue giving us. Thank you for using Bro. BO
Thanks for reminding that there is antidote, Bro. Bo..
To God be the Glory!
An instant refection just happened to me.. Thank you for blessing us with God’s wisdom.. I consider your articles as light of my day to day living. Thank God for He has molded a person like you who generously shares the great love of God for us . Youre messages are just really amazing to digest.. we love your articles. :)! To God be the glory! God bless you Bo!
9/6/11
Hi, brother BO thanks for your inspirational messages that enlightened me every time i read your articles especially right now reading you article regarding envy , i learned a lot your right brother , envy is like a cancer that destroy almost everything .
keep it up ,you inspired a lot of people. thanks
wilma
Congrats for this wonderful article
Thank you Bo. This is a life-changing blog:) Keep it up…
I am grateful for people like you bro bo. You are untiringly opening my heart and my mind to receive God’s blessings. May you be fruitful always.
dear Bo,
thanks for another inspiration. Now I really know what’s the difference between encouragement and envy and how to combat that spirit wrecking envy.
may our dreams come true!
Hi brother bo,
Now I know that envy is indeed another evil.. my personal experience haunts me not so long ago…and w/c keeps eating me up. thanks to you!. i could now manage and adjust to elude this monster.. Godbless u and family always..
Thanks for another inspiring article. I can relate too well about envy. I was really envious of my best friend because she works in a top IT company with high pay, she’s thin, talented in art and sexy while I’m working (not any more though) at a call center with a so-so pay, no lovelife and a plus size body. The envy went worse when I began working at home and it came to a point that I got depressed from it, telling her frankly that she’s better than I am.
In the end I got a figurative slap on the face. She reminded me there are other things I should be grateful for: a loving family, loyal friends who would stand by me and my ability to help others even if at times I have so little. Also her so-called fabulous life is not really that fabulous. She later broke up with her boyfriend and quit her job to work at another company. She’s much happier now and I am too even if I am not working and is currently a full time graduate student.