How can I overcome my jealousy for other devotees?

[Ms. Thrylokya asked: I am feeling jealous that many new devotees and younger devotees are showing more devotion and doing better service to Swāmi than me. Compared to me, everyone seems to be at a higher level and I feel dejected and insecure sometimes. I know that comparison is a wrong thing, but I cannot help it. How can I constantly remember that God has equal love for every soul?]

Swāmi replied: Comparing oneself with better souls and having jealousy towards them is a bad quality, as per your thinking. But you should know that even a bad quality has its good face. The good face is that this comparison and jealousy will provide you the force to develop yourself further and rise to greater heights than the other souls of whom you are jealous. Hence, do not be dejected and try to see the good face of jealousy. The bad face of jealousy is not expressed to you and hence, you are not trying to push others down in order to be greater than them. I am sure that you will not find the bad face of jealousy, due to the grace of God whom you are worshipping in your heart. Hence, you are not exposed to the bad face of jealousy. You are facing depression because you have not been able to find the good face of jealousy so far. Now with this message, you have found the good face of jealousy. Use it and rise up!

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| Shri Datta Swami | How can I overcome my jealousy for other devotees? |