Being Happy for Others

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. ROMANS 12:15 

When we hear good news from friends, family, or even a stranger on social media, are we happy for them? Or do we think of our own situations and find ourselves feeling a bit resentful of them? Let’s be honest, we’ve all gotten stuck in the comparison trap at one point or another. How can we truly be happy with those who are rejoicing? 

In Romans 12:15, we’re reminded to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. We can each have our time in the sunshine. Realizing that God has more than enough blessings to go around frees us to be genuinely happy for others when things are going their way. 

The above verse is a good reminder to be there for those who are weeping as well. We all need someone to lean on sometimes. John 11:33–35 tells us that when Jesus witnessed His friends Mary and Martha grieving over the death of their brother, Lazarus, He wept. 

Jesus had compassion for Mary and Martha when they were hurting, and we can follow suit. Whether it is rejoicing or weeping, it is good to have true and honest compassion and connection with others. 

GO FOR IT! 

As humans, we need each other. God’s love empowers us to shift our focus from our own situations to be truly happy for others when things are going well for them. When we trust that God has enough blessings to go around, it is easier to wait patiently for our own time to shine. 

This is an excerpt from Go For It: Boldly Live the Life God Created For You by Melissa Horvath – a new devotional journal now available for pre-order on DaySpring.com. Shop all books, journals, and devotions from DaySpring here.