Can JOY and SADNESS Live Together?

“We must focus on Jesus, the source and goal of our faith. He saw the joy ahead of him, so that he endured death on the
cross. . . " (Hebrews 12:2)

I've been thinking quite a bit lately about the presence of both joy and suffering living together in the Christian's heart.

Years ago, I remember it was difficult for me to accept this reality. Thinking particularly back to one morning early as I was "trying" to celebrate God's goodness and express a thankful heart, I voiced to Him that this was impossible to do with all the suffering I was aware of going on in the lives of others. It seemed to me at that time that you either experienced JOY or SADNESS. It never occurred to me then, that the heart of true worship is experiencing them together. Because of my limited view, my prayer life often left me feeling helpless and inadequate in my worship.

It was years later that I read Hannah Hurnard's Hinds Feet on High Places. In this beautifully written allegory of a shepherdess named Much Afraid, The Chief Shepherd invites her to journey to the high places, giving her two companions to help her along the way. Sorrow and Suffering were their names.

Through the years since that reading, and after repeatedly searching the scriptures about this matter, I understand that the human heart captured by God, is often filled with sadness brought on by suffering AND joy, simultaneously.

Jesus Himself, in His humanity experienced this co-habitation of JOY and SADNESS.

Reading about His life experiences in the gospels, we know that He experienced: joy in relationships, delighting people as He performed miracles, and while going about His earthly ministry duties. We also read about His suffering revolving around those same areas.

So just like Jesus experienced - joy and suffering are not exclusive of each other. Many of our earthly experiences include both.

A recent example of this played out during our family's Christmas celebration. While we experienced great joy celebrating with our Tennessee son's family in our home, there was great sadness that a positive COVID test prevented our Florida son's family from being with us during this once a year gathering.

Not totally joyful, not totally sad - but a combination of both.

My heart's resolution was to accept the reality that co-habitation was OK. I could worship God in no other way; for to be totally joyful was to disregard the pain of not being with half our family. To be totally sad, was to dismiss the joy of being with the other half.

Deferring to God and His Word will always put you back on track. Because of the JOY awaiting Him, Jesus endured the painful suffering of the cross. That shameful and painful suffering for Jesus and those earthlings who loved Him, ushered in the Ultimate Joy that is ours to celebrate, and YES - in the midst of pain and sadness.

TRUTH: Jesus will help you navigate through the co-mingling of joy and sadness.

I have told you these things so that in Me you may have perfect peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous - be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33 AMP)

APPLICATION: Consider your feelings of being joyful and sad simultaneously. Take some time to journal the dichotomy of wrestling with the reality of these emotions being so different and both very strong. Describe your heartache that makes you sad, and then describe your struggle and yearning to be joyful in Jesus. Ask The Holy Spirit to shed light on your struggle and help you process how best to worship God, giving Him both your joy and your sadness. He WILL help you; that's His pleasure!

LET'S PRAY: Dear Father, You walked this earth being filled with both sadness and joy. Please show me how to honor You with a heart of worship that accepts both the joy and the sadness of earthly living. For now - until I'm in Your presence, that's how it will play out. I thank You with a full heart, that the moment my spirit leaves this body I will enter into Your Presence being infused with total and glorious joy forevermore. Amen