NBA free agency has triggered a lot of jealousy among its players. When Timofey Mozgov received a 65-million-dollar deal from the L.A. Lakers, there were plenty of jealous tweets by fellow players. Most didn’t like that his salary was higher than that of two-time league MVP Steph Curry. Even professional athletes in other sports were upset and tweeted about choosing the wrong sport.

Envy or jealousy is a common problem for young athletes, too. Athletes tend to compare themselves to their teammates. Someone is going to play, and someone is going to be sidelined, and that is just part of sports.

The biggest complaint coaches hear from parents and athletes is a lack of playing time. You have probably heard complaints like, “Johnny is a good player, but he really doesn’t support his other teammates or isn’t giving enough effort on the field or court.” The “but” approach can destroy a team. Coaches can begin envying other coaches or programs, too.

James 4 – Why Do You Fight and Quarrel

James blames uncontrolled envy for all kinds of problems when he writes, “You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel” (4:2). Envy is resentfulness toward another athlete or coach who has an advantage with a strong desire to have the same or better advantage. You might ask yourself how you react when another coach receives a promotion that you want or when you’re not recognized for a coaching award. These questions will help you realize if this is a problem for you.

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete are content with who they are and where God has placed them. They are comfortable with their identity in Christ and don’t become frustrated because they always need to “win more games” or “reach the top.”