Happy or Sad?

In today’s fast-paced world, it can be easy to get tunnel-vision, focusing on our own feelings, our own “little worlds”.

Maybe your life is busy right now. Maybe you’re stressed. Or maybe something exciting is going on in and you’re really happy about it.

But what about the other people in your life?

How often do we pause to notice how others-whether it’s our friends, our family, or our neighbors—are feeling?

Is there someone you know who might be facing difficulties right now, but you haven’t had time to call and see how they are doing? Or is there someone in your life who is celebrating a success, but you just haven’t had a chance to congratulate them?

In Romans, chapter 12, verse 15, it says…

“Be happy with those who are happy, and be sad with those who are sad.”

Notice how it doesn’t say be happy for those who are happy, or sad for those who are sad? It says with.

None of us is meant to go through this life—and all its ups and downs—alone.

So if you know someone who is happy right now, make plans to go see them and celebrate with them. Maybe even stop by the store and buy some flowers or balloons on your way over. And if you know someone who is sad or discouraged, come along side them and spend time with them. Let them know that they’re not alone. Put your arm around their shoulder and tell them you care. Maybe even bring them a meal to lighten their load.

Because when we share our joys and sorrows with others, somehow the joys grow bigger and the sorrows become lighter.

What about you? Do you have an experience to share about a time you’ve been happy or sad with someone? What happened?

3 Responses to Happy or Sad?
  1. Sarah at themommylogues
    March 13, 2009 | 8:22 am

    I’ve been having a really tough time dealing with a particularly harsh MN winter. A week or so ago a friend of mine sent me “Sunshine in a Box.” She filled a box with yellow things, and wrote me a nice note on Sun paper about how she knows the winter’s been hard, but to remember I’m loved. It had citrus gum and lemon drink mix, yellow napkins, sunflower printed tissues, a yellow notebook — it made my winter! I’m so grateful to her for doing that. I wanted to drop everything and drive the four hours to give her a hug!

  2. Miche
    March 13, 2009 | 8:05 pm

    You know, I was in complete tunnel vision when I was pregnant with my second son-and honestly not so thrilled because I was so tired, had so much work (I work from home) and could never catch up on everything. I was really quite mad and swallowed in self pity about how hard I had it. THEN I ran across a blog of a woman who was due a few months before me, and her son died, just weeks before her due date. Reading her story, being there as she expressed her feelings and sorrow…I felt like the biggest jerk in the world. I had a special gift and I was wasting away the time I had to appreciate it. After that I slowed everything down, concentrated on my son and pregnancy, and on shutting out outside distractions. I am so grateful I got that wake up call and feel that God lead me to Heather to help me refocus on what is really important-my family.

  3. Pam
    March 14, 2009 | 12:11 pm

    Thanks Genny. It is easy to be happy or sad for someone, but to really connect with them and be happy or sad WITH them takes more strength.

    Ten years ago I went through a miscarriage. I had a perfectly healthy son at the time, but was still so crushed by my loss. Many helped me through, but a note from a mentor of mine really helped pull me through. She told me about HER miscarriage, and how a few months later, she conceived her youngest daughter, and what a joy Kelsey was. She confided that had she not lost that other baby, she would likely never know Kelsey. Now I feel that same way about my sweet William. And I cry along side my other friends who lose their precious and prayed for babies. It is hard for me to comfort these women, because sometimes it feels like a scab being ripped off, but at the same time, I know that we all become stronger because of it.

    Now, as a pastor’s wife, I find myself becoming so very close, almost like family with church members…I think they find strength and comfort in my being happy and sad with them. In this day of disconnection and keeping distance, personal contact is ever so important.