Pastor’s Corner: “Trading Sorrow for Joy”
Isaiah 61:3 (NLT) – He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair.
Many of us are experiencing grief and loss right now because of a job lost, a business shut down, or a health issue that might including the fear that you or someone you know may contract COVID-19. We’re also experiencing grief because of closed schools, canceled proms, and postponed weddings. We’ve been unable to visit family and friends, even when they’ve seriously sick in the hospital. And, heart-breakingly, some of us haven’t been able to mourn the loss of a loved one through a traditional funeral.
Yet, God promises that for all who mourn, “… he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair…” Isaiah 61:3 (NLT). The greatest example of how God transforms grief and loss into joy is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. After he was crucified, Jesus’ disciples went through two days of the deepest fear, pain, and grief anyone could ever experience. Even though Jesus promised his disciples he would return from the dead, they couldn’t grasp the reality of that through their grief. But once the disciples saw Jesus resurrected, they understood sin and death had been defeated. They were released from their fears and anxieties. And in that release, they found joy again.
As you hold onto the promises of God through these dark days, you, too, will find release from your fears and anxieties—and you will find joy again. How can that happen? When you’re feeling loss, sadness or grief, I want you to anticipate feeling joyful again. This takes the sting out of your sorrow, because you know it is only temporary. Sadness tends to duplicate itself along the timeline—convincing you that you will always be unhappy. But that is a lie! I urge you to turn away from the lie, choosing rather to trust God and all that He has promised you. The truth is, all His children have infinite Joy ahead of them: reserved in heaven, guaranteed throughout eternity! No one can take this away from you. John 16:22 (NKJV) – Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.
While you are journeying toward heaven, your earthly path has many ups and downs. Though your down times are uncomfortable, they are not worthless. Pain and struggle can be highly productive when you trust God in the midst of suffering. Your anguish is comparable to a woman enduring labor pains: Her suffering is very real, and she may wonder how much longer she can bear so much pain. However, all this agony produces a wonderful result—a newborn baby. John 16:21 (NKJV) – A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. The mother’s memories of her suffering retreat to the background of her mind as she focuses on this joyous gift. While you labor through your earthly afflictions, keep your eyes on the promised reward: boundless Joy in heaven! Even now you can enjoy a growing awareness of God’s presence. No matter what is happening, there is fullness of Joy to be found in His Presence. Psalm 16:11 (NKJV) – You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
We live in uncertain times, so if you haven’t already, reach out for the one thing that is absolutely certain—the forgiveness, hope and joy found only in Jesus. If you’re ready to commit your life to Him, then pray this prayer: “Dear Jesus, you have promised that if I believe in you, everything I’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven, that You will give purpose to my life, and you will accept me into your home in heaven. I confess my sin, and I believe that you are my Lord and Savior. Today, I’m turning over every part of my life to your control. You have the right to call the shots in my life. Jesus, I want to relax in your love. Thank you that I don’t have to earn it, deserve it, or work for it. I want to use the rest of my life to serve you instead of serving myself. I humbly commit my life to you, and I ask you to save me and accept me into your family. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”
In His Grace,
Pastor Hamilton