Since becoming a parent, I have believed, and taught my children, that the cure for jealousy is the opposite of it: be happy for the other person in whatever the situation is.
I awoke this morning with the violin scene in my head but this time as I played it in my mind I responded in awe, enjoyment, enthusiasm and valuing the beauty of my mom’s playing, the sound of the music she made, the amazing-ness of her talent, asking for more, wanting to have her teach me even…
The contrast strikes me deeply. I see the first response falls short. To be happy for the person is good. But it is like pulling the top of a dandelion when weeding, and leaving the root. Eventually the dandelion grows right back. Or only taking part of your antibiotics prescription; eventually the bacteria gets smarter and stronger instead of defeated.
But if we confess our sins to Him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong.
You will always reap what you sow.
We must replant in the empty hole cleansed by confession seeds of treasuring others. Joy is good in the mix, too. But the reason just being happy for the person falls short is because the result is likely still distance, still insecurity. If we can find in our heart true value for what the person is doing or has, and we can allow that to attract us toward them, then we connect and grow toward that person, which is God’s ultimate plan for love.
So my treatment plan? Well the picture of a different response to my mom inspires me so much and truly, truly makes me so sorry because it helps me to see what I have missed. Every time I have chosen to be happy for the person I am jealous of, I have remained empty and hurting for myself. Repent means to change, to turn. I want to be transformed – to change, to turn toward and move forward by finding, valuing, respecting, and honoring the treasure that God puts in others. In sowing value, I will reap value.
