Even in seasons of sorrow and grief, we can rejoice with those who rejoice.
As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I try to live by the principle to “mourn with those who mourn” and “comfort those that stand in need of comfort,” as taught in Mosiah 18:9. However, as I strive to grow in my discipleship, I’ve found that the principle taught in Romans 12:15 to “rejoice with them that do rejoice” is equally important.
Photo by Nataliya Melnychuk
We may be tempted to feel envious when people seem to be doing better than we are. We are often our own worst critics, and jealousy can become a reality when we compare our worst days to someone else’s best days. But Church leaders urge us to react differently when others experience success.
In his April 2012 general conference address, “The Laborers in the Vineyard,” Elder Jeffrey R. Holland invites us to be happy for other people’s accomplishments. He says that “we are not diminished when someone else is added upon,” and that we are not in a race against each other, but that “the race we are really in is the race against sin.”
Life is full of both fortune and misfortune, and choosing to be upset about other people’s achievements only makes life harder. Elder Holland explains that “tearing others down does not elevate your standing, nor does demeaning someone else improve your self-image. So be kind, and be grateful that God is kind. It is a happy way to live.”
Our lives may not always go the way we plan. Sometimes we might feel like everyone else’s lives are perfect, while ours feel stagnant, but choosing to rejoice when God blesses others will bring us far more joy than envy ever could. When we look at the amazing things God has done in the lives of those around us, we can take comfort in knowing that life is not a competition and we can rejoice with others while we wait for our own blessings to come.
Read Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s full address to learn more about rejoicing with others: “The Laborers in the Vineyard.”
Source: General Conference
—Ellie Haverlock, Latter-day Saint Insights
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Find more insights
Read President Linda K. Burton’s general conference address “We’ll Ascend Together” to learn about how we can complete each other, instead of competing with each other.