Being Happy for Others

Being Happy for Others

It seems very difficult to do.  It can be a struggle to feel great about someone’s happiness, or feel rewarded when someone else is reaping the benefits, and the praise to go along with their newfound happiness.  There are those who can’t get beyond their own lives and reach into the lives of others to experience the happiness or excitement simply because they see no benefit.  God has another way of looking at things, and I think it may be time we took a good hard look at those around us.  We need to make sure we are celebrating life because it is a gift.  We need to make sure we are celebrating with others because it pleases our God. 

When the Apostle Paul was speaking to the church in Rome, He emphasized this type of behavior.  “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.” Romans 12:15-16(NASB)

The opportunity to share in a joyous occasion that happens in the lives of the ones we love will not come along on a predetermined schedule.  Even the tragic events where we need to “weep with those who weep” seem to be more numerous and happen when we least expect it.  The key to this lies in our response to these events.  If we are following the example of our Lord and Savior, we will be ready to celebrate, cry, help, support and fill in where we are needed.  God gave us the ability to love one another.  This only leads to the respect and consideration of those we are close to, and allows us to “rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.”  We also are told not to think we are smarter, and know what’s best for those close to us because with that, we tend to look down on others.  We begin to think everyone is making a mistake because we know what is right, we know how things should be.  We become “haughty” and begin to alienate others because of it. 

The biggest challenge in our lives can come when it is time to celebrate the happiness and success of those we love most.  We feel we have the best plan for their happiness, for what is right for their lives because we want what’s best for them.  We never think about how they feel, or how they have approached the situation.  We need to think about what God would do in the situation.

Maybe it’s time we take the advice of Paul to the church in Rome, and “rejoice with those who rejoice.” 

“in the world, not of the world”