Have you ever wanted something terribly, then got it, but couldn't enjoy it because someone was jealous of you?

It would be a rare person indeed who hasn't been the victim of that green-eyed monster, jealousy. Most of us are familiar with catty remarks and twinges of jealousy within ourselves. We may, in a weak moment, have even "cut down" someone else.

"If a man is jealous, envious, or revengeful," Mrs. Eddy writes, "he will seek occasion to balloon an atom of another man's indiscretion, inflate it, and send it into the atmosphere of mortal mind—for other green eyes to gaze on." ^{Miscellaneous Writings, p. 129;}

Jealousy is an old offender, as old as Adam's two sons. The Biblical account of Cain, who slew his brother Abel because Abel's offering was more acceptable to God (see Gen. 4), uncovers the false thinking that promotes jealousy. Mortal mind, believing that life is in matter, looks to material things for health, wealth, and happiness. Then, not finding satisfaction, it reacts by attempting to destroy what appears to be the health, wealth, or happiness of another.

Massive amounts of jealousy, such as greed and revenge, activate conflicts, riots, and wars. Lesser degrees of jealousy are displayed in gossip and unfriendliness. But regardless of the form it takes, the person who indulges it is the real victim, for he suffers most.

Of course, it's not much comfort, when we're the target of jealousy, to know that our enemy is suffering more than we are. We'd rather not have an enemy, thank you! And it isn't much fun when we're the one who is jealous. It's so miserable. But ignoring or just wishing jealousy away won't destroy it.

It's good to know that there's a sure cure for hate in all its guises. It can be found in the teachings of Christian Science, which show us the spiritually scientific way to get rid of enemies by healing our thought about them. Basic to this healing power, however, is an understanding that mortality with all its hate and rivalry is a false sense of God and man.

Mrs. Eddy explains, "Wholly apart from this mortal dream, this illusion and delusion of sense, Christian Science comes to reveal man as God's image, His idea, coexistent with Him—God giving all and man having all that God gives." ^{The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 5;}

Accepting God's great love for His idea, man, is a step in the right direction, but it won't forever exempt us from jealousy. We must apply our understanding of God and grow enough spiritually to stop looking to material things for satisfaction and discover instead the divine fact that only Spirit satisfies.

Our hearts should fill up with the kind of love Christ Jesus described in the Sermon on the Mount. Then, if jealousy does cast its green eyes our way, we can examine it in the light of Love and see that it has no power, no person, and no purpose to promote it.

"Blessed are the pure in heart," the Master said, "for they shall see God." ^{Matt. 5:8;}

After a young Christian Scientist won the coveted lead role in a high school play, the classmate who was runner-up began to abuse her, taunting her, even wishing illness upon her.

When large doses of patience, kindness, and forced smiles failed to improve the situation, the young Christian Scientist discussed it with her mother, who reminded her that Truth is the only effective weapon against error. So they talked about the allness and goodness of Love's creation until they clearly saw that man is not a jealous mortal, a helpless victim of resentment or revenge. They realized that man is Love's perfect spiritual idea, the highest expression of Love. They affirmed that in God's universal family no idea can usurp the rightful place of another or covet or mar the good that belongs to another.

Gratefully they rejoiced, "Love is impartial and universal in its adaptation and bestowals." ^{Science and Health, p. 13;}

The following day the classmate who'd been so offensive was completely changed in her manner. She became kind and considerate. By the time the play opened, the two girls were good friends.

The Psalmist says, "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me." ^{Ps. 138:7.}

When we see that we are all flawless reflections of the light of divine Love, no more green-eyed monsters will darken our paths.