The NFL gave us a full Sunday of intriguing matchups and close games, ending with the Texans and Bears in primetime.

For neutral fans, this was intriguing because it featured rookie Caleb Williams, the #1 pick, against C.J. Stroud, the reigning offensive rookie of the year.

However, for Panthers fans like me, the game was a huge reminder that Carolina passed on Stroud in favor of Bryce Young and traded the 2024 first-overall pick (who turned out to be Caleb Williams) to move up and select Young in 2023.

Many negative thoughts and emotions swirled around for Panthers fans during that game, as we thought about being 0-2 on the season and 2-16 with Young as the starting quarterback, but one prevalent attitude was…envy. We want what the Texans have!

We are jealous of the Texans and their immediate success with Stroud, and we wish he were the quarterback the Panthers selected. Today, our envy increased even more as news broke about Bryce Young being benched while the Texans’ fans celebrate being 2-0 with their franchise quarterback firmly established.

We’re only two weeks into the NFL season, and along with Panthers fans, plenty of other situations across the NFL lead to additional fans having sports envy and jealousy:

• Every non-Chiefs fan is jealous of how they keep winning, starting the season 2-0 on their journey toward a Super Bowl three-peat.
• We all envy the Packers and how they went from Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers to Jordan Love. Even with Love injured yesterday, they found a way to win with former Titans castoff Malik Willis.
• Ravens and Bengals fans must be jealous of the 2-0 Steelers and their stout defense.
• Teams with concerns about their head coaches must be jealous of the 2-0 Chargers and 2-0 Seahawks, as new head coaches Jim Harbaugh and Mike Macdonald are off to a hot start.
• Some envy is creeping in that the Saints and Bucs are also 2-0, with the Saints’ offense lighting it up so far this year.
• Even though the Patriots aren’t Super Bowl contenders anymore, some lasting jealousy of their 20-year dynasty still lingers.

As sports fans, if our team isn’t winning, we commonly get jealous of other franchises’ success. It’s hard not to notice what other teams have without wishing we had the same.

Envy and jealousy aren’t exclusive to our sports fandom because they can infiltrate our minds and hearts as we witness friends, family members, neighbors, and people on TV experiencing other kinds of “winning,” blessings, or having something we wish we had.

So why are jealousy and envy destructive?

Proverbs 14:30 (NLT) tells us, “A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.”

Envy can lead to bitterness, resentment, anger, discontentment, and a lack of gratitude, which can result in pain. As followers of Jesus, those attitudes don’t align with the life we’re called to live.

Colossians 3:15 (NLT) implores us to “…let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”

After all, we have everything we need in Him. We don’t deserve anything, yet He has given us so much, especially Himself, and His love, grace, and mercy.

Even when it comes to material things, relationships, or experiences that we see others have, we must be content and grateful for what He has provided us instead of letting jealousy and envy take root.

In love, let’s celebrate with our family and friends when they “win” and experience blessings rather than being frustrated when they have something we want.

1 Corinthians 13:4 (AMP) reminds us, “Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious…”

Today, instead of being consumed by another NFL team’s success, our friends’ new car, or our co-worker’s job promotion, let’s praise God for His goodness in our lives and be encouraged to avoid the pitfalls of envy.

Galatians 5:26 (ESV) says, “Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”

1 Peter 2:1 (AMP) challenges, “So put aside every trace of malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander and hateful speech.”

I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive me for the envious and jealous thoughts that fill my mind and heart. Please convict me quickly when they start and remind me of Your goodness and faithfulness. Help me to be content and grateful. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.