Marie’s daily verse: He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. MICAH 6:8

DAILY DEVOTION, October 29, 2022

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep

(Romans 12:15).

This verse calls upon us to be sensitive to what others are feeling. All too often we can be critical or insensitive to what others are going through. When others are happy and rejoicing over something in their lives, we are to rejoice with them. Sometimes, when others are rejoicing over a blessing received, jealousy may creep in.  We may think, “Why has God blessed that person and not me?” Just rejoice with them. God will bless you too, but not if jealousy sneaks in.

Also, when others weep, we are to genuinely feel their pain and weep with them. The Germans have a word, “schadenfreude.” It means to feel joy when others are suffering. We may be inclined to think, “They deserve it.” We are never to rejoice when others suffer. We are to weep with them. Psychologists call it “empathy,” identifying with the feelings of others. It means a lot when we are feeling pain or joy to know that others share those feelings with us. When we identify with the feelings of others it is a sign that we do care for them.

Father, help me to be sensitive to what others are going through. Deliver me from insensitive criticism or feeling joyful when others suffer. I want to express the love of Jesus into the lives of others, whether they are weeping or rejoicing. In His name I pray, Amen.