I’m Sorry, You May Have Schadenfreude

This week I was reading an article and I realized I have been inflicted with Schadenfreude. Before you offer me your condolences, you might need to check yourself. I think many of us have experienced it before. Schadenfreude is a German word that that means pleasure that is derived from the misfortunes of others. It might be the giggle we get from the YouTube video of the woman falling while stomping grapes or the sense of satisfaction when our favorite team’s biggest rival suffers an injury. I know at times I have been happier about an enemy’s failure rather than my own success.

So what causes this condition? Researchers studying this reaction have discovered that it is related to envy. A brain-scanning study shows that the Schadenfreude response is located in the same part of the brain as the envy response. We covet other’s success or achievement and enjoy when that is taken away from them. In the worst cases, we are not satisfied in just when it happens; we must work to make it happen. We jeer and deject to make sure everyone knows how bad those are that did us wrong.

Scripture warns us that this attitude is dangerous for the child of God. Proverbs 24:17-18 tells us, “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; Or the LORD will see it and be displeased, And turn His anger away from him.” God doesn't want us to get into the payback game; rather he wants us to do good. (Proverbs 25:21-22, Romans 12:19-21) Jesus explains this principle in Luke 6:31-35. In this passage he gives us both the principle of the “Golden Rule” and “love your enemies”. When we seek to gain joy in other misfortunes, we violate both these commands. We need to find our happiness in trusting in God and the knowledge he rewards the good and will punish the evil.

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