Think disaster and you think something B-I-G happened! Actually, it seems to be happening more every day.
However, let’s bring it home. What do you do when a disaster happens closer to home…like when it happens to someone who has been unfair to you? Several years ago someone I know who lost her job due to the unfairness of the person in charge. I know this to be true. The person in charge was dishonest, a bully, and a philanderer. My words to the one I knew: “Pride goes before a fall. Remember those words. Someday it will happen.”
Several weeks ago she emailed me and said, “Do you remember when you said, ‘Pride goes before a fall?’ It happened. So-and-so was escorted out of the building.” Why? For the reasons mentioned above (except for the philanderer because they didn’t care about that).
What I was happy to see was no gloating by the person I knew. Only sadness. I was reminded of that event when I read the following quote in Our Daily Bread this morning:
The lizard is not as mad with the boys who threw stones at it as with the boys who stood by and rejoiced over its fate.
Rejoicing over the fate of someone is not the way Jesus would want us to react. Proverbs says, “Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice.” (24:17)
Let’s be careful how we react to others’ disaster, especially if they have been “unfair” to us. Any thoughts?
In younger days I would have danced a jig when an adversary fell. Today things are different.
That shows maturity.
Something similar happened somewhere I used to work. Just makes me sad. The person I know it happened to had such tremendous potential. She just let life’s struggles define rather than strengthen her. For me, I just get determined to not let the same happen to me. I try to learn from others Mistakes.
It is too bad about the other person. The fact it makes you sad speaks highly of you kari. And you have it right: learning from others’ mistakes.
Great reminder, Bill. We have to remember that we, too, are sinners and but by God’s grace . . . well, you know. A better alternative would be to pray that this adversary comes to know the Lord.
Blessings!
Well said martha. We do need to pray for our adversary.
I am pretty sure I don’t gloat or rejoice but I do get a warm fuzzy feeling when justice is done. I rather enjoy the “I told you so” or “You had it coming” opportunities. I actually prefer my enemies are eliminated and wish they would stumble more.
Ouch! Remind me not to get on your bad side.
It all goes back to that understanding that we don’t wrestle against flesh and blood. So hard because it sure looks that way at times! But when we see we’re spiritual beings in a spiritual battle, we won’t rejoice over someone’s fall or stumble. We see they’re just a hurting person as well. Good word, Bill. Thank you.
Excellent point jason! We all have the potential to stumble.
I’ve never heard that adage about the lizard. That’ll make you think. It also made me think about the reaction to animals in general when they are hurt. They’re missing that instinct of us humans that desire vengeance. Reminds me of just how fallen the world is and how the lost do rejoice over the pain of others, even if it is their enemies.
When some of my competitors went belly up during the turn down in the economy, all I could think of is how much stress they and their family had to endure.
There’s enough bad in this world that’s going to happen to all of us to gloat over someone else when they get their turn…
I have never heard it either Floyd. I guess that is why it impacted me so much. Sort of an eye-opener. Your last statement is spot on.