This morning, coffee in hand and yes…scrolling from the bathtub (don’t judge)…I saw friends’ cruise photos. Caribbean blue, wind-tossed hair, big happy grins… the kind of shots that make you want to start packing. And I’ll confess: when I get home from a trip, I often feel like I need another one. I know, total first-world problem, but the struggle is real.
But here’s the thing…when I saw my friends’ photos, I didn’t feel jealous. Not even a twinge. The first thought I had was, “good for them!” And it’s not because I get to go on cruises too. Let’s be honest—some people can be on a cruise and still be jealous of whoever’s on a bigger ship with a better buffet, or what they perceive as a better cruise line. The more they have, the more they want, and the more jealous they seem to be. But, I just smiled and thought, “I love that they’re having this experience.”
When I was a kid, I had to coach myself into being happy for other people. You know, that little pep talk: “Be nice, Deanna. Don’t pout. It’s their turn.” But here’s the thing…
I’m not a child anymore. But some people don’t seem to outgrow doing this. And real maturity, especially spiritual maturity, calls us higher. It demands that we be genuinely happy for others when they’re experiencing blessings, even when our own prayers are still pending.
That’s when you know God’s been doing some deep heart work in you. That’s when you know you are elevating to a new level of spiritual maturity.
The Test of Character
We love to quote Romans 12:15:
“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
Most of us do well with the second part. When someone loses a job or gets hard news, we rally with prayers, meals, and messages of care. But the first part, rejoice with those who rejoice, can be harder.
It’s easy to empathize with pain; it takes formed character to celebrate someone else’s blessing while you’re still waiting on your own. When a friend receives what you’ve been praying for…the job, the baby, the house, the relationship, the recognition…what rises in your heart? That honest moment is often where the Holy Spirit does His deepest work.
In ministry with women, I often walk alongside both deep longing and beautiful news. I’ve heard things like, “Please don’t tell Katie I’m pregnant yet—she’s been trying for a long time, and I don’t want to hurt her.” I understand the tenderness behind that request. Waiting can ache. But maturity looks like learning to hold both—to grieve honestly with the Lord and to bless another woman’s joy without resentment.
Rejoicing with those who rejoice doesn’t deny our own sorrow; it declares our trust in God’s timing and goodness. It says, “Father, thank You for what You’ve done for her—and I trust You with me.”
Jealousy and Joy Can’t Live in the Same Room
Jealousy is sneaky. It dresses up as disappointment, self-pity, or even “why not me?” questions. But at its core, jealousy is distrust in God’s goodness toward you.
When you believe God’s blessings are limited, someone else’s abundance feels like your loss.
But when you know His goodness is infinite, someone else’s blessing just reminds you of what’s possible.
Being genuinely happy for others doesn’t mean you don’t have your own hopes. It means you’ve learned to trust God’s timing…that He hasn’t forgotten your name or misplaced your miracle.
It means you understand that He’s big enough for all of us to win.
How Godly Character Shows Up
Godly character shows up in the small, unseen moments, like your reaction to someone else’s good news.
When you can clap for others without secretly comparing yourself, that’s growth.
When you can compliment someone’s blessing without needing to insert your own story, that’s maturity.
When you can pray, “God, thank You for blessing her… and I trust You with me,” that’s peace.
And here’s the thing… God notices.
He sees the women who celebrate others in their waiting season. He sees the ones who keep their hearts clean when it would be easier to let bitterness move in. He sees you clapping for others when nobody’s clapping for you yet.
He says, “I can trust that heart with more.”
The Freedom of Rejoicing
There’s something freeing about rejoicing for others. It releases you from the tight grip of comparison and opens your heart to joy.
Joy multiplies when we share it.
When you can celebrate someone else’s cruise, promotion, or answered prayer, your spirit gets lighter. The weight of envy drops off, and gratitude takes its place.
And sometimes, I think God smiles and says, “Now you’re ready. Now your heart’s prepared for your own next blessing.”
Let’s Be Women Who Cheer Loudly
We need more women who cheer for each other… loudly, sincerely, and without hesitation.
Women who say, “If God’s doing it for her, that just means He’s in the neighborhood.”
Women who choose celebration over comparison every single time.
Let’s be those women.
So, whether your friend is posting cruise pictures, showing off her new house, or holding her first grandbaby — lift your hands and thank God for His faithfulness. Her blessing doesn’t diminish yours. In fact, it’s proof that the same God who’s blessing her is still writing your story too.
Reflection
Take a minute today and ask yourself:
Who can I celebrate right now…not politely, but wholeheartedly?
Where do I need to trust God’s timing instead of comparing His pace?
How can I model joy that multiplies instead of envy that divides?
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