Be Excited For One Another

Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.

“You’re different,” Alisha observed one day.

“What do you mean?” her friend Eleanor asked.

“You’re actually happy for me when I tell you about good things that are happening to me.”

“Of course I am! You’re my friend,” Eleanor replied.

“Not all girls are happy for me,” Alisha said with a shrug.

Eleanor knew that it was true. Sometimes other girls didn’t seem pleased about Alisha’s successes or didn’t want to hear about them. But Alisha was a good friend to Eleanor. They listened to one another, comforted each other when they were sad, shared their thoughts and feelings, and cheered one another on. Alisha was always sincerely glad for Eleanor when something good was happening in her life, just like Eleanor was for Alisha. That was one thing that made their friendship so strong.

Sometimes our own or others’ insecurities can hinder us from being happy for those around us. Maybe we find ourselves jealous of something a friend has, is doing, or has accomplished. It’s normal to sometimes wish we had things others have, but our response to someone else’s happiness should be to rejoice with them. The Bible tells us that we should be happy for those who are happy and cry with those who cry. Even if we want something that someone else has received, we can still choose to be excited for them. Jealousy is common in our society—people often want what others have. But we don’t have to live that way. Instead, we can be glad for our friends while also trusting that God has good things for us too.

Things to Think About

• Have you ever been jealous of a friend? How did you handle it?
• What could you have done differently (if anything)?

DAILY ACT OF FRIENDSHIP

Celebrate with a friend who has had a recent success. Bring her a cupcake and make it a party.