Confronting envy

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Jump4Joy

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I become irritated by people who are smarter, more mature, better body than me, kinder personality, independent, more self controlled, more realistic. It especially makes me feel bad when I notice someone is holier than me or at least more outwardly humble, patient, tolerant and forgiving. I envy people who seem to need little to no correction. Their lives are not under scrutiny because they are more private and stoic. They are lucky, they are usually on the giving end of criticism or correction, rarely on the receiving end.
 
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Rather than feeling irritated, imitate those who are doing better. We are all called to be holy, like the saints.
 
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2540: Envy represents a form of sadness and therefore a refusal of charity; the baptized person should struggle against it by exercising good will. Envy often comes from pride; the baptized person should train himself to live in humility:

Would you like to see God glorified by you? Then rejoice in your brother’s progress and you will immediately give glory to God. Because his servant could conquer envy by rejoicing in the merits of others, God will be praised. (CCC 2540, St. John Chrysostom, Hom. in Rom. 71,5:PG 60,448)
 
Me, I don’t envy anyone.
As I think of it, I suppose I ‘admire’ some - saints -
but I’m more at peace - content -
I don’t think it’s so bad to maybe emulate the good traits you may see…

Envy is the one deadly sin - that you can’t really enjoy.
I remember a Priest once saying that.
 
Uh…I guess. I wish I were the good role model so people could emulate me. I’d rather focus on cultivating my own strengths.
 
What hymin said.
Envy is a form of self-loathing.
No Bueno

Myu go-to recommendation is the LItany of Humility.
 
Any pleasure - usually brings depression with it.
Any high - like a rollercoaster - goes low.
Thus - in your case - you’re iratated too -
 
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Jump4Joy said:
Uh…I guess. I wish I were the good role model so people could emulate me. I’d rather focus on cultivating my own strengths.
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How do you know you aren’t the good role model? Maybe people envy you but are to shy to tell you
 
Jump4Joy said:
They are lucky, they are usually on the giving end of criticism or correction, rarely on the receiving end.
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huh? What Catholic could find joy in giving critism or correction? As a friend when someone asks me for my opinion I try to speak the truth in love. But to just criticize or correction for no reason… How uncharitable
 
I love father Mike Schmitz. Informative, funny and good looking
 
We’re all struggling in one way or another (or two… or three). Don’t think you got the short end of the stick with Envy… that’s a funny way of looking at it, but really, it’s not a walk in the park for anyone.
 
It’s a natural urge of competitiveness in me. You can call it pride.
 
No one likes being wrong. It feels like you’re exposed or vulnerable to admit being wrong. Who wouldn’t want to always be right? It is annoying when you try your best and it still is not as good as what someone else did.
 
I struggle with envy alot too though it’s gotten somewhat better. Still I can’t help but feel envious of others, particularly those with material blessings or more desirable circumstances as I just feel ‘less’ in some ways, as well as forgotten…it has a lot to do with a difficult childhood and some of the issues that came out of that. Sorry I can’t be of more assistance, but I know how you feel in some ways.
 
Well, in the case of your walk as a Christian, if you think someone is doing better, think again. More times than not, they are struggling just like you. They may not announce it, but it’s often there. edit: I know I am btw 🙂
 
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