Hollywood Prayer Network On SorrowSýnishorn

THERE IS A TIME TO MOURN AND A TIME TO DANCE

"Our vision is so limited we can hardly imagine a love that does not show itself in protection from suffering.... The love of God did not protect His own Son.... He will not necessarily protect us - not from anything it takes to make us like His Son. A lot of hammering and chiseling and purifying by fire will have to go into the process." Elisabeth Elliot  

PRAY:  Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You that it's OK to feel sorrow and that You have planned sorrow as part of our human experience. Thank You that You promise we will feel all kinds of emotions throughout our life and we don't have to be afraid of the negative emotions. In fact, how would we ever truly feel the richness of joy and laughter if we haven't felt the depth of sorrow and mourning? Help me to embrace my sorrow and not be afraid of it. I pray this in Jesus' mighty name. Amen

REFLECT:  The Western world is known for doing everything we can to avoid sorrow, pain, hurt, and despair. And yet, God created those emotions as well, so that we can understand the full range of human emotions and gain wisdom from living through different seasons. Are you afraid of feeling sad? Do you avoid it at all costs? Maybe it's time to look at the bigger picture and trust God that He will not only get you through the times of sorrow, but He will make you a richer, wiser person because of it. Don't run from sorrow, for you want to learn through this season and then fully embrace the coming seasons of laughter and dancing!

ACT:  Write down the saddest season of your life and the most joyful season of your life. Then prayerfully compare what you learned from both. How did you grow? Did anything come out of both seasons that made you a better person? Are you more Christ-like, empathetic, or patient because of experiencing both seasons? Then thank God for giving you sorrow and joy, and ask Him to allow you to use them both to offer compassion and hope to someone else.