Some people find it hard to "rejoice with those who rejoice". When others around them get the blessings that they've always desired to have, they begin to feel negative emotions, such as jealousy, or in extreme cases, envy, anger and resentment. These negative emotions stem from the negative thoughts they have concerning the fact that someone else has got the blessing they desired.
In those instances, the kind of thoughts that often pervade the mind are such as these: "Lord, that's not fair! How come they got the blessing instead of me?, What about me?, I deserve that blessing more than they do!" Do you notice something? The central focus of those thoughts is "ME & I". Yes, 'Self'. When you hear the news about another person's blessings, and you take the focus off them to put it on your 'self', you become 'self-conscious', to the point of being absorbed in your own lack.
When you do this, you've taken a step out of love into 'selfishness' - the opposite of love. You see, love seeks the good of the other person. "No one should seek their own good, but the good of others". (I Corth. 10:24 NIV), because love does not envy, love does not seek its own, and love does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; (I Corth.13:4-6). Furthermore, Let's not forget; now that you're born again, love has become your nature. All of love's demands are natural for you to fulfil. Therefore, it is natural for you to rejoice with those who rejoice.
Beloved, when someone else is blessed, it does not diminish or hinder your own blessing at all. In fact, it only means that it is possible for the same to happen to you too. In our father's kingdom, there's more than enough blessings to go round. In the kingdom, there's enough room for us all at the top. The same father who blessed your neighbour, is rich towards all, including you.
So, has your neighbour received a blessing that you desire to have? Don't be jealous, envious or bitter. Rather, walk in love by rejoicing with them.
Study Scriptures: Num.12:1-3, 1Sam.18:7-9, Job.42:10-11, Luke1:57-58, John12:9-11, Rom.10:12
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