I'm embarrassed to say I tend to be jealous of other women. In fact, it's the reason I joined this discussion group to try to get answers. It's crazy really. I'm a professional, educated, good looking, have a wonderful boyfriend who loves me and gives me no reason whatsoever to be jealous. However, if we're in a group and a younger, cute woman comes over and gives him a hug, my heart goes into my throat. Worse still, if an attractive woman in my church group is at my table, and if I see him even just looking at her, I start to shut down, become emotionally unavailable and withdrawn. My boyfriend is old enough to be her father, and she has her own boyfriend, so what is my problem? Further, he's not even doing anything except listening to what she's saying - and moreover she's a really sweet girl! I hate this characteristic of mine and just don't know what to do about it.

I have an otherwise strong, wonderful spiritual relationship with the Lord and am involved in several fulfilling ministries - but this terrible trait of mine has me confused. I was married once before and was terribly jealous - totally irrationally so - and it was very painful for both of us. Now I'm 25 years older and find I'm still jealous - what can I do about this?