Don't Delight in the Despair of Others

We are living in very hard economic times, not just in the United States but the World. With such hard times comes events that bring hardship and despair on an individual basis. When hard times come upon a person or the threat of unemployment comes to someone we know, we should not wish for it to happen or rejoice in it.

Some may think, "I don't find pleasure in the pain of others."
However, at times people do wish for bad things to happen to those who treat them badly. I am not referring to legal punishment for someone who has committed a crime against you. Rather I am talking about the mean boss, nosey neighbor and crabby cashier. Sometimes when such people are mean to us or to others (especially when such meanness is without merit) we may find ourselves saying, "I hope [insert bad thing here] happens to them." This is not the attitude we should take.

People like this do get repaid for their behavior. They always reap what they sow in one way or another. However, if you wish despair or delight in the despair of such a person you will reap a bitter harvest as well. If you find that you have delighted in someone else's misfortune or have wished misfortune on another, repent of it. Ask God to forgive you for it. But only repent if you do regret making such a remark. Say a prayer for the person as well. Remember we are not to repay evil with evil. Repay in love and prayer for them and for you.

Take this verse as a reminder:

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. (Gal. 6:7-8 NIV)