What Are You Smiling At?

Anita Delene Manthe
May 13, 2017
2 min read

Do you gloat and revel in your heart when you observe and learn of another’s misfortune?

I’m not referring to the misfortune of others in general rather someone specific. A specific person whose behaviors towards you cost you much. Their participation in cruel slander as well as their being central to digging a hole for you to fall in, caused serious damage to the work you do. Furthermore, their pride imprisons them, keeping them captive and holding them bound to perpetuate gossip – to keep the damage active. They will never set right the wrongs and harm they caused. Has this been your experience? It’s difficult isn’t it? It brings about a special kind of struggle. When this occurs and the consequential damage carries on year after year – we can lose hope, we can despair. We can forget God is in control.

Should we? Should we allow our perceived realities to undermine the promises of Scripture? When we do this, we erode the foundation of our faith. We chip away at the Truth we know, and with each negative thought we strip down the character of God.

Recently, I observed someone’s misfortune – the above account is my experience. As I walked away from what I had seen and come to understand my heart smiled. A warm comfort enveloped it, and hope was kindled. For long my heart despaired and was worn down – now with new ‘feelings’ visiting, comforting and encouraging me I examined the reasons for them. Was my heart quickened out of revenge, or in remembrance of God? Which is it? I remembered the promises of Scripture – my heart delighted in the Lord – Who is faithful. My heart smiled in acknowledgement of His being in control. He, and only He, allowed me to observe what I did to remind and comfort me. Quickly, He brought to mind that He had seen – He had seen the actions, heard the gossip –seen my life placed on a different path. He knew. I was and am His child. The hope rekindled in my heart was hope in Him. And, in Him alone. He is faithful.

Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, lest the LORD see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him (Proverbs 24:17-18).
My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you (Psalm 42:6).
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God (Psalm 43:5).
Reproaches have broken my heart, so that I am in despair. I looked for pity, but there was none, and for comforters, but I found none (Psalm 69:20).
We do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison (2 Corinthians 4:16-17).