By Emilie Gruben.
It’s easy to fall into gossip. All it takes is a backhanded comment, and all of a sudden, the friend group is at odds. Snaps about someone’s hair, a lifestyle choice, a rude comment, etc. God’s love and discipline is not found in the folly that comes from vanity and gossip. Likewise, one can fall into the indulgence of negative emotions and sadness. It’s easy to wallow in self pity, and feel sorry for oneself when others are better off. Or sometimes, when people are going through hard times, you also feel the prideful need to “connect” with their hardship, making things out to be worse in your mind than they really are.
In our time of life, many are still at home. Some may be taking college classes, or working in various ways, but most are still adjusting. Some of your friends are moving away, while others are thriving, nearby. Careers beckon some, while others contentedly look on. Homes are being started, while some of us haven’t even thought of leaving. Some are getting married, dating, or courting, while you maybe look on…alone. It’s easy to fall into emotions when you observe the lives of others. The gossip, sadness, and jealousy are sins easily fallen into. In a coming of age where you are, in a way, “finding” or “building” your future, you have to mold your life to only be defined by Christ and nothing else.
We always want what we cannot have. The grass is always greener on the other side. The hardest thing for an individual is often the act of staying individual. As a believer, you are in the midst of a spiritual family that crosses many boundaries of backgrounds, classes, and cultures. Yet, within this family that shared the same belief, repentance, and saving grace of God, there is individuality. 1 Cor. 12:26-31, reads:
“And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.”
This passage is about the unity and the diversity within the body of Christ. Each member will have its own unique gifts and talents to offer to the glory and enrichment of the Kingdom, as well as their own temptations and shortcomings. God created us in His image, called us to His side for service, and then equipped us each, differently. But in a fallen world, our opinions and differences will be our strength and our sin.
To rejoice with someone is difficult. Sometimes it’ll be the new baby in another family, when you or a parent has prayed fervently for one. Sometimes it’s when a friend gets married, and you have no prospects or support, despite your prayers and faithfulness. When someone’s health prospers when your own is failing. When someone buys a new car or house, seemingly easily, while you or your family struggles to get by with basic expenses. These ups and downs are nearly impossible to smile through, sometimes. To go to parties for things you would do anything to be able to celebrate. But, as we are commanded to obey, we must do so. Romans 12:15 reads “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” Life isn’t just stages. It’s not just periods. It’s a blessing. A blessing of peace can be a time of great trial, for another. Your trial could be another person’s everyday life. Your weakness could be the strength that your friend prays to have, daily. In everything that honors God, we are to be with the Body of Christ, and thank Him. In death, we thank the Lord for life. In sadness, we thank Him for happiness. In great joy, we thank Him for the lack of despair. When the tire pops on the side of the road, you thank Him for granting you a car in the first place. You thank Him for the providence to keep you safe until you could fix it. You thank Him for the ability to use your hands and legs, mind and emotions. For the very breath in your lungs-there is reason to rejoice.
Our success is not our own. Nor is it your neighbors’. We do not earn any of the good things in life, nor are we deserving of them. We should want and seek to praise the Lord for everything that He has given us, even in pain or heartache. In the greatest of times, that is when we most cease to rejoice, whether on our own or with others. Righteousness is not a practice, but the overcoming of sin through repentance and unwavering belief in God. Psalms 68:3-7 says “Let the righteous be glad; Let them rejoice before God; Yes let them rejoice exceedingly. Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Extol Him who rides on the clouds, By His name Yah, And rejoice before Him. A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation. God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity; But the rebellious dwell in a dry land. O God, when You went out before Your people, When You marched through the wilderness, Selah.”
In this same awe that we hold for God, we tremble at his steady, sovereign hand. As we read about the hard, sorrowful life of Job, we see this. “And he said: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord-” Job 1:21 We serve a jealous God. In the trials and tribulations, we are to be thankful. But we must also understand that there are consequences for our actions and thoughts. In disobedience, there is wrongdoing. Likewise, we have seen ungratefulness and anger bring forth destruction. As the Isrealites fleeing Egypt fell into anger and discontentment towards God. We must remember our place as sinners, saved only by grace. Ps. 2:11 says clearly “Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.”
Rejoicing is a battle of self and pride. Humbling yourself in your heartbreak to be glad with others in their gratitude. Humbling yourself from your joy, to weep with others. Finding goodness in all things, but understanding the sorrow of sin in life. Governing your emotions according to God’s commandments, but not just doing it out of obligation or fear of judgment. All of this world is sinful. The only good is Christ. As believers, we must do our best to seek Him in all things. Thanking Him for every mercy in life. Rejoicing in all things, with all of those who make Him the Lord of their life.
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