Room for Rejoicing

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Romans 12:14–16 (KJV)

Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

What It Is Speaking to Me

"Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with them that weep." Maybe you find one of those easier than the other. It is easier for me to rejoice with others than to weep with others. I know people who would say the opposite. I don't know why that is. A therapist would have something to say about it, but we know what the Word says: it tells us to do both.

Maybe grief gets your attention, but when someone else succeeds you move right past it. Perhaps it's because it tempts you to quietly compare your perceived failures against their successes. Maybe it's because I would have to actually want the best for them more than I want to feel good about my circumstances. Maybe it's a coworker's promotion, a friend's engagement or blossoming relationship, someone's kid doing well in a way yours hasn't yet. It doesn't have to be dramatic. Sometimes it's small, even embarrassingly small, but there it is.

I wonder if Paul ties "be of the same mind one toward another" and "mind not high things" right into the same passage because he is trying to communicate that envy and pride are close cousins. If I think I deserve more than someone else, or at least more than I have, their success feels like an accusation instead of good news.

Rejoicing is the answer. Rejoicing in what God HAS given you, and rejoicing in God's goodness for others. The more we rejoice, the less room envy has. That is something to rejoice about too.

What Is It Saying to You?

Is there someone right now whose blessing you've been keeping at arm's length?

Where do you find yourself doing the math instead of the rejoicing?

Have you considered why this might be hard for you? What does it say about you?

What Are We Going to Do About It?

Pick one person whose recent success has bothered you, even a little. Go tell them, specifically, that you're glad for them. I bet His grace will even help you really mean it.