A chance conversation, a phone call, an email; a friend is sharing happily about a wonderful blessing that they have just experienced. And you are smiling, nodding, offering congratulations and support, while inside feeling torn apart. Again. Because the very thing that they are celebrating is the blessing that has been an elusive and hidden desire in your heart for longer than you care to remember. And you fear it will remain simply that: a desire hidden in your heart.
I’m talking about significant desires here. The single person longing for marriage. The hard-working individual never catching the promotion. The couple wanting children. The ill needing healing. (Your personal experiences will add to this list.) Each time we are faced with this challenge, we are faced with a choice. Will we pout and feel sorry for ourselves, or will we rejoice in another’s blessing?
Scripture says to “Rejoice with them that do rejoice and weep with them that weep”. (Romans 12:15) Weeping is sometimes easier. Without God’s help, I find it practically impossible to rejoice with those who are enjoying what my heart still yearns to receive. Without God’s help, I end up coveting that person’s blessing.
But let’s consider something:
Who’s better prepared to rejoice than the one who has long carried in their own heart the weight of what they are now seeing fulfilled in their friend’s life?
Does God allow us to have unmet desires, so that we will value and support the fulfillment of those desires in others? Some would say to do such a thing would be cruel of God. But what if this is one of God’s methods that allows us to fit together as a body?
I have a deeper appreciation of what God has given me, because of the encouragement of those who do not share my gifts. For example, those who do not play the piano (but wish they could) have encouraged my playing more than any accomplished musician has.
One of my “heart’s desires” is to have a strong singing voice that would allow me to lead worship. I have a music degree and I have taken vocal lessons and I have led choirs and worship teams. But I do not have that voice! Is it possible that the fulfillment and release for my desire will come as I encourage and support those who have been given that voice?
The next time we’re hurting because someone is being blessed in ways that we desire for ourselves, may we choose to genuinely rejoice in their blessing. Perhaps, as an unexpected blessing, that encouragement will touch the desires of our own hearts in return.
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Congratulations Burt,
winner of Eugene Cho’s book, Overrated. Thanks to everyone who participated in this contest!
The LORD wants us to Rejoice at all times and again He says to Rejoice!I agree sometimes seeing someone else’s blessings drives me to as well covet their blessings.This only drives me down a road of unfulfilled happiness and depression.So I do what is best while I am waiting on the LORD.Knowing GOD knows what is best for me and His timing is always on time.God just wants me to Trust Him.I feel He hasn’t answered my longing,my desire in my life so I will turn all my compassion into pouring more of me into His work, helping the neighbor rake her leaves out of her yard,Go to the nursing home and visit the elderly,spending more time listening to the broken hearted and expressing Jesus to them.I find myself loving people more as I dive into a deeper relationship with JESUS!If we always got the desires of our heart as soon as we ask for them,how spoiled we would be.Thanking GOD for not giving me what I want right away so I could keep my focus on trusting HIM more and more.My cup begins to fill and overflows with bountiful joy as I keep my eyes upon JESUS.Thank you Mark.I am really enjoying reading your thoughts in this blog.They inspire me to think a little deeper about my walk with JESUS.Blessings
Good impute Tina. Your statement “I do what is best while I am waiting on the Lord” captured my attention.
This reminds me that waiting on God is NOT the time to do nothing, but the time to do what we know to do, while trusting Him to do, in His perfect timing, what only He can do!
“If we always got the desires of our heart as soon as we ask for them, how spoiled we would be.” That’s SO true, Tina. We want what we want, when we want it. (Which is usually YESTERDAY!) Good perspective check. 🙂
Psalm 37:4″Delight thyself also in the Lord;and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”Praise His Holy Name!
Beautiful…