Dissolving jealousy

Jealousy is fundamentally a belief that good is limited, a belief that there is not enough affection, beauty, grace, talent, strength, activity, happiness, and resources for all. This false belief can be corrected through a spiritual understanding of God and man.

The Bible assures us that ''God is love.'' n1 This perfect Love knows no imperfection or limitation. The Bible also tells us that man is made in God's image. Reasoning from this illimitable basis, each of us can find the freedom of loving and receiving love in infinite measure. Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, writes encouragingly, ''Man is God's image and likeness; whatever is possible to God, is possible to man as God's reflection.'' n2

n1 I John 4:8.

n2 Miscellaneous Writings, p. 183.

Understanding this truth, coming to feel it as the present reality of our being, we won't submit to the enslavement of jealousy. We simply can't, when we learn of our actual heritage as the loved child of God.

''Jealousy is the grave of affection,'' n3 Mrs. Eddy writes. No one really wants to bury the enriching quality of affection. Its comforting, happy gleam radiates life itself. When rightly understood, it is a freeing, purifying quality flowing through all activity. Pure affection heals not only human relationship problems but also bodily ills.

n3 Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 68.

I once had a new, interesting friend. As our friendship blossomed it became marred by jealousy. She resented my having other friends. She also had disfiguring skin blemishes that physicians had not been able, over a period of years, to correct through medical means. She insisted she wanted nothing to do with religion.

My friend's childhood had been darkened by her parents' abandoning her. She was left with relatives who she thought didn't love her. Small wonder that she clung to this newfound friendship and affection, mistakenly believing that love could only come from one person.

Through this new relationship, however, she became interested in Bible truths. As she began to understand, accept, and apply them in her own experience , and to express the freedom of loving impartially, she was freed from ugly jealousy. The final result was her complete healing of jealous possessiveness. Moreover, her skin became beautiful, and she was radiant with joy and health.

One is not jealous of another's possessions or attributes when he learns the spiritual fact that God's perfect nature is expressed by all His creation. God, good, cherishes each individuality He creates. Understanding that our Father-Mother God has bestowed on each of His offspring, impartially and infinitely, every quality of good, one can feel the satisfaction and comfort of his own self-worth derived from God. He has no need to look with longing desire at another's good fortune but rejoices in others' spiritual completeness as well as his own.

Each of us is governed by God alone, according to His wisdom. Our need is to realize that fact and yield to it. We can trust our heavenly Father to give us what He has prepared for us. And because God is good, He gives His creation only perfect good. Such trust in God's justice annihilates jealousy.

As we persist in our effort to understand the spiritual reality of man, our reply to the question ''Am I jealous?'' will be understandingly answered with a loving and powerful ''No!" DAILY BIBLE VERSE Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:34, 31,32

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