Today, as families across the United States gather around tables laden with food to celebrate Thanksgiving, I find myself reflecting deeply on the power of gratitude.
It may sound cliche, but thankfulness can transform lives.
Yet, I’m also burdened by the growing challenge that envy poses to our mental and spiritual well-being.
I’ve come to believe that envy is currently the number one spiritual enemy enslaving people around the world.
Envy is like a cancer eating away at our joy.
Dr. Leonard Sax, in a recent interview with Andrew Klavan, explained how our modern culture has amplified this problem.
In this video, he pointed out that the rise of social media and the shift in cultural values have transformed us into a society obsessed with fame, likes, and external validation.
This is all in contrast to a society that used to value sacrifice, service, and doing the right thing.
In the interview, Dr. Sax referenced a UCLA study that revealed that older television shows, which used to shape society’s values and worldviews, taught us to value integrity and friendship, but today’s media promotes winning and being famous as the ultimate goals.
This cultural shift feeds a destructive cycle of envy causing our young people to say, “Why her? Why not me?”
Basically, when everyone has a YouTube channel and an Instagram, it’s hard not to compare your success or lack thereof to someone else’s.
Why are they getting all the subscribers? I’m just as funny (smart, beautiful, etc.)!
Envy: A Barrier to Gratitude
As Christians, we are called to live in gratitude, yet envy makes this nearly impossible.
Envy whispers lies that rob us of joy, convincing us that we are incomplete without what others have.
Just listen to how close Asaph’s lament matches the feeling of hopelessness in our hearts when we are envious.
Surely God is good to Israel,
to the pure in heart.
2 But as for me, my feet almost slipped.
My steps nearly slid out from under me.
3 For I envied the arrogant,
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For there are no pains at their death,
their body is healthy.
5 They have none of humanity’s trouble,
nor are they plagued like others.
6 Therefore, they put on pride as a necklace,
and violence wraps around them like a garment.
7 Their eyes bulge out from fatness.
The imaginations of their hearts run wild.
8 They scoff and wickedly plan evil.
From on high they threaten.
9 They set their mouth against heaven.
Their tongue struts through the earth.
10 Therefore His people return here,
while they drink their fill.
11 So they say: “How does God know?
And does Elyon have knowledge?”
12 Behold, such are the wicked—
always at ease and amassing wealth.
13 Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure,
and washed my hands in innocence.
The Apostle Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:11–13 to be content in all circumstances, trusting in Christ who strengthens us.
Yet, how often do we let envy steal our peace?
Social media magnifies this struggle, constantly bombarding us with curated images of others’ lives that make ours seem inadequate.
Dr. Sax describes how today’s youth, and even adults, are drowning in a culture of comparison.
Platforms like TikTok foster resentment when our efforts—be it a clever post or a heartfelt video—go unnoticed compared to the viral fame of others.
Envy, unchecked, leads not only to unhappiness but also to mild forms of depression, as we see ourselves as perpetual losers in a game we were never meant to play.
Gratitude as the Cure
Gratitude is the antidote to this spiritual and mental illness.
When we focus on the blessings God has given us, envy loses its power.
Whom have I in heaven but You?
On earth there is none I desire besides You.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.
Gratitude realigns our hearts with the truth that our worth is not in likes, followers, or fame, but in being loved by our Creator. It reminds us that “every good and perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17).
This Thanksgiving, I challenge you—and myself—to pause and thank God for the many blessings in our lives: family, health, salvation, and the daily provision we often take for granted.
Parents: Cultivating Gratitude in Our Children
As parents, we play a vital role in shaping a culture of gratitude within our homes.
Dr. Sax laments the “collapse of parenting,” where many parents struggle to exercise authority, leaving children vulnerable to the toxic messages of modern culture.
He calls on us to reclaim our biblical responsibility to guide and discipline our children, teaching them the value of gratitude.
Here are a few practical steps we can take:
- Limit Social Media Exposure: As Dr. Sax advises, ensure our children are not scrolling through TikTok late at night, losing sleep, and feeding the culture of envy. Instead, encourage them to engage in activities that build real relationships and character.
- Model Gratitude: Children learn from what they see. Let’s verbalize our thankfulness to God and others regularly.
- Create Family Moments: Cancel unnecessary playdates and prioritize family time. Whether it’s a simple meal or a family devotion, these moments build bonds that counteract the pull of social media and cultural envy.
- Serve Together: As a family, find ways to serve others in need. Gratitude grows when we see the blessings we can share with others.
A Thanksgiving Challenge
This Thanksgiving, let’s resist the culture of envy and embrace gratitude.
As we gather around our tables, let’s share not just the food but also what we are thankful for.
And let’s pray for our children, asking God to protect them from the corrosive effects of envy and guide us as parents to cultivate hearts of gratitude.
Gratitude is more than a practice; it’s a posture of the heart that reflects our trust in God.
Envy may tempt us to look at what we lack, but gratitude reminds us of all we have in Christ.
Let’s reclaim this truth today and every day.
Happy Thanksgiving from our family in Monterrey to yours!
