Gen 30:1 When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she envied her sister. (a)
Jacob labored 7 years for Rachel only to be tricked to marry Leah her sister. Jacob determined to marry Rachel labored another 7 years. Children did not begin to flow in this family until Rachel was married. She was loved more than Leah but God in His providence in dispensing gifts opened Leah’s womb and she had 4 children before Rachel had any and there she began to envy her sister.
The balance we note here is each gift given is to serve a purpose. Without balance, one having too much may elevate themselves and depress others. Rachel wanted children, but she was blessed with her husband’s love; Leah wanted her husband’s love but was fruitful instead.
If we do not first recognize what we have that others don’t, there is no way we can be content and be happy for others. It is easy to always think that someone else has it better than we do and be envious or frustrate them. Let’s desire the good of others and celebrate what God is doing in their lives. If we are inspired to desire to pray for ourselves what we see in others, may we first pray a blessing on those who inspire us without being envious.