MTAF 7: OUR ENVY

Oct 20, 2024    Garrett Marshall

In the movie franchise Inside Out, we explore the emotions of the main character, Riley, each personified in a unique way, with much of the story unfolding in her mind. In Inside Out 2, several new emotions are introduced, including "Envy." Notably, the film connects the emergence of this emotion to Riley's transition into her teenage years. This is a brilliant observation, as it highlights how our emotions become more complex as we grow older; what begins as simple greed can evolve into deeper feelings of envy and jealousy.

Throughout the movie, Riley's envy of others leads her to behave in ways that are out of character. This envy intensifies her anxiety, ultimately culminating in a meltdown. I believe this film resonates with many people because we can relate to these feelings. We often find ourselves envious of others—whether it's their nicer homes, better jobs, or more stable lives—causing us to act in ways that we sometimes struggle to understand.

Today, we'll explore what the Bible says about envy, how to better manage it, and how to transform it into something more positive.