It’s not always easy to admit that we’ve been jealous or envious, even though we each have probably felt that way at some point or another. As we face the need for repentance in our prayers, we might ask, Is it really worth it to work on overcoming envy and jealousy? I’ve found that the answer is: absolutely. Letting go of these emotions opens us up to the presence of spiritual good—and Christian Science gives us exactly the tools we need to do so. One of the ways we can be set free is through deeper gratitude.
Let’s start with the distinction between jealousy and envy. These two words are often used interchangeably, but some see envy as the desire for something someone else possesses, while jealousy may involve the fear that someone or something will take away what you already have. Both stem from the same root: a fear that good can be lost, or maybe isn’t even present at all.
In Christian Science, we learn that good is spiritual and has its source in omnipotent God—and therefore can never truly be taken from us. It may be tempting to think that a little envy or jealousy is harmless, even normal, but seeing that these emotions aren’t in alignment with our spiritual identity, we can turn thought toward God, good. This step is foundational to healing.
