Misery's Companions

"Misery loves company." It may have become a cliché, but for good reason, it’s true. I’ve seen it occur over and over in my life as some of my loved ones have gone astray and then dragged other loved ones with them. They don’t seem satisfied until not a single person is left basking in the glow of God’s love. 

I’m not sure they realize the damage that they inflict on dragging one person down. They hurt that person, of course. But they also hurt themselves. Their misery does not lessen. In fact, their actions have the opposite effect. Misery is only magnified by its companions. But its appetite for company only increases. 

Misery is not logical. It’s like a black hole that constantly sucks matter into itself, only adding to its voracious appetite with each particle. The damage is not even contained to just the two people involved. Those that watch their friends make bad choices suffer along with them. In fact, the bystander’s anguish is often greater. The ones that make the bad decisions often become numb to any pain associated with their decisions. 

Joy loves company as well. The difference is that someone that feels great joy will never be able to (and would never try to) force that joy upon another. They can only invite them to taste the sweetness of the fruit. And that joy is often accompanied by indescribable suffering caused by the choices of others. The more joy and love one feels, the more capable that person becomes of feeling this pain. So is it worth it? Absolutely.