Rejoice

 

My life is invariably chalked full of blessings and miracles. As of late, however, we have been exceptionally blessed. 

In joy and gratitude I have felt driven on occasion to overflow joy onto bystanders. This is particularly true when people venture to ask "how are you guys doing." 

The surprise comes in that you would expect people to be empathetically joyous, but I'm learning that that is against human nature.

We've all heard the phrase "misery loves company", but the other component to that is underlying envy. Not only do we crave others to be suffering, as we are, but we also resent those who seem as happy or happier than ourselves. This may be due to our instinctual compulsion for competition and/or the need to belong to a "society" similar to ourselves. 

Romans 12:15 

"Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." 

Of course, if you have someone in our life who is suffering, than compassion and empathy takes priority!!!
Encouragement is also a component to any relationship and joy is part of that. Not "bragging" about your accomplishments or status, but joy in what God has given you.

I challenge myself any all of us to not desire company in our misery, but instead seek and give joy.

Empathy. Encouragement. Honesty. Joy.