How to Rejoice in God’s Goodness to Others

In review of Romans 12:15, Paul reminds me to “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep” (ESV).

When others are happy, I need to be happy with them. If they are sad, then I need to share in their sorrow. When I see God providing for others, I can choose to respond with either joy or resentment.

In some ways, the second half of today’s verse is much easier to do than the first half. It may be easier to weep with those who weep.

It’s much more difficult to rejoice when someone else experiences success. At times, I may even feel threatened by it, and/or resent it. This comes from the thought that the world is a giant pie that’s divided up into slices. If somebody gets a slice that’s a little bit bigger, that must mean my slice is going to be smaller.

What I’m learning is that this kind of thinking is wrong. God has all the pie slices in the world! He doesn’t run out of blessings, nor does he run out of grace. There’s more than enough to go around for everybody. Just because God blesses somebody else doesn’t mean there’s not enough blessing for me, as well. He wants to bless me, but it may be in different ways.

Envy will keep me from entering into the joy of other people. As a result, I don’t enjoy much that goes on in the world. In fact envy will make me a miserable person.

This is what happened in the parable of the vineyard workers in Matthew 20. The owner hired some people at the start of the day and others later in the day, but he paid them all the same. The first workers thought they’d been cheated. Instead of enjoying their pay, they resented it.

But if I choose to rejoice in God’s goodness to others, I can be joyful all the time, because something good is always happening to somebody.

In summary, rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. When I see Gd providing for others, I can choose to respond with either joy or resentment. It may be easier to weep with those who weep. It's much more difficult to rejoice when someone else experiences success. At times I think if someone gets something bigger, my slice will be smaller. I must remember that God never runs out of blessings, nor does he run out of grace. He wants to bless me, but it may be in a different way. I must also be cautious of envy, because it will keep me from entering to the joy of others. If I choose to rejoice in God's goodness to others, then I can be joyful all the time. 

Often, I want it to be all about me. I want to be the one receiving the bigger piece of the pie. I see someone else getting a blessing and I want one for myself at the same time. I must remember that God does and continues to bless me. Many times it’s in the things that I take for granted. Sharing in others successes can help me extend my joy. 

This morning Father I take time to thank you for the blessings you continually give me. I pray that I can learn to change my attitude when I see others blessed, so that I can be joyful in their blessings with them. I also ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day and my activities. Help me to be a leader that encourages, and help me to respond rightly to people. These things I pray in your Son Jesus name, amen.