Envy

[Regina7]

Hi,
I’m having serious problems with envy (being sad when others have good news and rejoicing at others’ misery). I’ve looked at numerous websites but all I seem to find are materialistic envy. My envy is not materialistic. I am sinfully envious that both my sister and sister-in-law are pregnant. I have had two miscarriages and one stillbirth and my desire to have more children is so intense. I know that my desire to have more children is not un-Godly, but being envious that my sister is pregnant? Not Godly. Besides regular confession and mass (which I do) does anyone have any other suggestions to kill the green-eyed monster? I truly have no doubt that God has called my vocation as wife and mother (I have two living children). I hate seeing babies and always thinking of my own that I lost. How can I be happy for them while not being sad about my own loss? I’d appreciate any advice.

Blessings!

 

[fred_conty]

I gave a married couple a green scapular and told them to put it under their pillow case. They wanted a child and tried for several years without success. With Mary’s help, within weeks the wife was with child.

May God bless and keep you. May God’s face shine on you. May God be kind to you and give you peace.

 

[Sandraaustin]

I’m so sorry for your losses. Don’t be hard on yourself, after what you’ve been through, this may not even be the sin of envy. Have you considered that maybe you’re still grieving? Those feelings you’ve described seem very natural (maybe “human” is a better word) to me.

I think the only way not to be sad, resentful and not at peace with others’ blessings might be through the process of healing for yourself. You may have already physically healed, but spiritual, emotional and psychological healing takes more time and sometimes professional help or at least a support group is needed.

One way to halt resentment/envy of others is to pray for them. It’s hard to do, you may have to start by asking God just for the desire to pray for them first.

God bless you, I am praying for you.

 

[Dorothy]

Give thanks to the Lord for the pregnancies of the other women.

You don’t have to have “feelings” when you thank the Lord for that, but a firm commitment in your will that you want their pregnancies to be safe and that you praise the Lord that they are expecting a child.

You can do this every time an envious thought is suggested to you. Focus on the Lord and his Blessed Mother and ignore the suggestions of the evil one. Meditating on the Rosary and its mysteries helps much!

Be aware that prayer does not have to be accompanied with feelings for it to be a good prayer. Just pray in faith!

May the Lord bless you and lead you on your spiritual journey to him.

Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom,…Pray for us!

 

[1ke]

Hi,
I’m having serious problems with envy (being sad when others have good news and rejoicing at others’ misery). I’ve looked at numerous websites but all I seem to find are materialistic envy. My envy is not materialistic. I am sinfully envious that both my sister and sister-in-law are pregnant. I have had two miscarriages and one stillbirth and my desire to have more children is so intense. I know that my desire to have more children is not un-Godly, but being envious that my sister is pregnant? Not Godly. Besides regular confession and mass (which I do) does anyone have any other suggestions to kill the green-eyed monster? I truly have no doubt that God has called my vocation as wife and mother (I have two living children). I hate seeing babies and always thinking of my own that I lost. How can I be happy for them while not being sad about my own loss? I’d appreciate any advice.

Blessings!

I hope you will consider that this is **grief **and not envy. Get counseling for your grief and work through it.