IT IS VITAL that celebrating others and clapping for their successes becomes a genuine and intentional part of our lives. This is something that we may need to learn to do as opposed to doing instinctively.
It is easy to observe that we live in a dog-eat-dog world. However, for those of us who serve Christ, that is not how we are called to operate!
We are called to unity – not competition.
We often struggle to celebrate others in the areas of our lives that we perceive are lacking or in which we feel inadequate. It may be difficult to applaud a friend’s promotion when you were overlooked, or a friend’s marriage if you are single. The reality, however, is that had your friend not experienced the ‘success’ that they did – it is unlikely that you would have been successful in their place. This sounds terribly harsh; but unless you were vying for the same position in the same company or you were planning on marrying the same person – had their ‘success’ not occurred – it is not guaranteed that yours would’ve either!
Here is the comforting part:
We are all on our own journey with the LORD; our timing and seasons will look different from that of our friends. And that is okay! John 3:27 says that ‘a man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.’ This should bring us great comfort because He can do for us what He has done for others!
Celebrating Others Becomes Easier When We Acknowledge That God Is A Good Father
It is far easier to be content with what you have when you know in your heart that the LORD is a good Father who knows how to give good gifts to His children.He has not forgotten about you! He is the one who opens the doors for you that no man can shut and who shuts doors that no man can open! God has your job, He has your spouse; He has your very heart – if you have given it to Him!
The Word says, ‘delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart' (Psalm 37:4). God does not lie! Now, we obviously do not delight ourselves in Him for the purpose of getting something; but when we delight ourselves in Him, (which is not a hard task because He truly is delightful) He really does give us the desires of our heart.
So, take heart friends! Enjoy celebrating others who are experiencing successes that you have not yet tasted and know that the King has heard your heart’s cry! He knows you and He loves you and it blesses His heart when you choose to clap for your friends.