Envy... Jealousy... One of the 7 deadly sins, right? Well, we are all sinners, everyone gets jealous. But, just because everyone else jumped off of a cliff, would you go with them? I know, kind of a cliche analogy that everyone uses. But, seriously, what do you do when someone very close to you, like your best friend, takes something you considered "yours". Here's a scenario that might help:
Say that you are really good at volleyball. You're really passionate about it and you are always talking about how you want to make varsity and be a starter. One of your best friends plays other sports, not volleyball, and with that they are merely hobbies, and your friend is not very passionate about them. All of the sudden, they try out for volleyball, make varsity, and are starting, while you are stuck on JV for another year. You are left feeling betrayed by your best friend and feeling like no one notices your talent anymore because that friend came in and just swept that red carpet right out from under you.
Naturally, your first reaction would probably be one of anger toward your best friend. She knew what you had been planning, you talked about it all of the time. Besides, she already was good at everything that she ever did. Everything school related; everything music related; pretty much everything she ever picked up. Why couldn't she just leave your passion alone? She has all of these other things, this was yours. So, then jealousy sets in because everyone starts to congratulate her on the great job she is doing. And you sit there, trying to be happy for her, but listening to one compliment after another you cringe. Everyone is calling her "super-star" and completely ignoring the fact that you have been doing this most of your life, and are just as good.
Trust me, your jealousy is going to eat you up inside. We are only human, so yes, this is going to come first. But, we must remember this verse from Galatians:
"Now the works of my flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control; against such things there is no law... let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." Galatians 5:19-23; 26
So, yes, it may seem like you have been betrayed by your best friend and like no one cares about your talent, but do NOT think that. God cares about each and every one of us individually. He knows each of our talents, heck, He gave them to us. God wants us to be loving, patient, and kind to our neighbor, even if they do us wrong like this. In doing this, you will find peace withing yourself, and your feelings of jealousy and anger will subside. They may come back, but that is just the devil trying to attack you. Stay strong, and know that God is right there with you and that He cares about each and everyone of us. Also, look at yourselves to see that you are not the best friend in this situation. If you find that you are, talk to your friend so that the hard feelings between you two can be forgiven and forgotten.
God calls us to forgive and He has forgiven us, and to love our neighbors as He loves us. So, put aside your feelings of jealousy and rage, or possibly your feelings of being this high and mighty "super-star" and remember that we are all Children of God, created in His own image, and we are all humble servants of His. Then, you will find the joye meant for you in life.
