If we rejoice in others sufferings more than we rejoice in their successes, we should examine our hearts.
This Tuesday, I wrote about a tremendously hard moment in my life— when I had a precipitous labor. During this time, I wondered if I was going to make it…
To this post, a woman emailed me stating that my words were “shallow”. How dare I write on something as small as a birth when she had gone through so much more? She expected to be lifted up while my meager trial left her low.
While I empathize with her plight and pain, I just want to call-out something prevalent in our culture: the desire to use others pain to quell ours.
Is this even biblical?
We see it everywhere. It’s why women buy tabloids: to see a celebrity downfall. It’s why people cheer: those in high places are getting taken down. It’s why gossip happens: she thought she was so great.
When people fall, we, for a moment, feel lifted up.
Yet, Christ never told us to get out a measuring stick to compare plights. He never told us to fight about whose pain is more worthy of care. You may have a cancer scare that far surpasses another woman’s struggle with actual cancer. But, who cares? So what…about measuring and comparing?!
Jesus cares about the heart; comparing cares about measuring the height of someone’s flesh.
I believe that this concept of “measuring” is why women feel so afraid to share their struggle. We know that we risk being judged.
The reality is — none of us ever know what it is like to walk another day in someone else’s shoes…
“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” (Romans 12:15)
Jesus knew — pain is real. He wept over Lazarus’ death. He felt agony. He never condemned or dismissed people’s pain. He approached people with love and a heart to heal and help them.
Be wary of using someone else’s misfortune to buoy your emotions. Instead, draw near to success and failure, both, with a heart of love.
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Yes, God is always with us. This look like a great book. Thank you.