Impact and InfluenceEsimerkki

Joy In The Mourning

For so long, I believed that joy was something that could only be experienced in the absence of sorrow. Life has had a way of showing me just how untrue that it is. Joy—and loads of it—can meet you right in the middle of deep sorrow. Even if just for a brief moment, it can happen, and when it does, it’ll leave your soul inexplicably refreshed.

In one of the most gut wrenching times of my life, I recall being so burdened with heaviness. The days were hard and long. The sun would rise, but I’d confine myself to the bed because getting up would require a strength that I didn’t have. I was sad. I was desperate. I felt forgotten. Nothing or no one could convince me that Jesus was still with me.

One day during this very hard season, a friend sent me a text to invite me to hang with her at an event. My immediate answer was no. I didn’t have it in me to interrupt my regular scheduled program of being at home, sulking and sitting with my grief. After talking to another friend and being convinced that going out could be just what I needed, I got myself together and went to the event.

It was an incredible event. Everything was amazing—the food, the company, the laughs. It wasn’t what I needed though. It was so much more than that. Prior to that day, I didn’t think that joy could happen for me again but every second of being there was full of joy. In the middle of having a good time, I stopped and uttered a simple prayer, “God, thank you for tucking a good day into an uncomfortable season.” That day didn’t bring my situation or season to an expiration, but it did reframe my perspective on joy and sorrow. And I hope that reading this today does the same thing for you.

Yes, it is true that joy comes in the morning, but it is equally true that joy can come in the mourning. Joy can visit you while grief is still in the room.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are the ultimate source of true joy. Thank you for making joy possible in the morning and in the mourning.

Joy comes in the morning, but sometimes it comes in the mourning, too.

-Khas Dock