Sorrow and celebration can happen separately or at the same time together. Both can happen together in the heart when we love well and live well. For me, I’ve never really understood why when I had something wonderful happen in my life, I also was dealing with something hard or devastating too.
Here is an example…….why did my Mom pass away a mere two weeks before my wedding? My question of course was GOD’S timing. Wasn’t my wedding day supposed to be the happiest day of my life? Instead I experienced joy and grief all at the same time, missing my Mother and watching my Dad struggle without her.
Ahh, life can be like this. The good and the bad happening all at once. Life can be so very complicated and believe I have heard now over time plenty of stories just like mine. It is interesting to me that our hearts are designed to hold celebration and sorrow all at the same time. Our hearts can hold joy and grief……..
JAMES 1: 2 “COUNT IT ALL JOY, MY BROTHERS, WHEN YOU MEET TRIALS OF VARIOUS KINDS……..”
Do you see it? Trials and joy all mentioned in the above scripture together. And what can we learn from this?
JAMES 1: 3 “FOR YOU KNOW THAT THE TESTING OF YOUR FAITH PRODUCES STEADFASTNESS.”
The NIV version says that the “testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
Sometimes we feel pulled in opposite directions with our feelings. And we should be so very thankful that we have a SAVIOR that understands us. JESUS knew sorrow and celebration. HIS sorrow was the Cross, but the joy and celebration all happened on the third day!
I take comfort in knowing that in my sorrow and in my celebration, that GOD is working on my heart and testing and refining my faith. It’s ok to experience both because what happens in the process and in the middle is far more important. GOD will pull you and stretch you if you submit to HIS will. HE knows you well and knows clearly what HIS plans are.
So don’t be surprised when sorrow comes and when celebration comes too.
PSALM 30: 5 “WEEPING MAY TARRY FOR THE NIGHT, BUT JOY COMES IN THE MORNING.”
If you are in the middle of sorrow now, keep your eyes on JESUS, because HE will bring an everlasting joy to your sweet heart. This is HIS amazing grace for you. The GOD of the universe cares for you and you are loved!
1 CHRONICLES 13: 8 “AND DAVID AND ALL ISRAEL WERE CELEBRATING BEFORE GOD WITH ALL THEIR MIGHT, WITH SONG AND LYRES AND HARPS AND TAMBOURINES AND CYMBOLS AND TRUMPETS.”
HEAVENSREEF 
Amen Sister… Life can hold sorrow and joy at the same time, and God uses both to shape and strengthen our hearts. In every trial and every celebration, He is working, refining our faith, and filling us with hope.
You Are Dearly Loved. 🙏
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That’s an interesting point, one I hadn’t thought of much.
We have a family reunion every two years, each time lasting 1 week. 2 years ago, ALL of our family was scheduled to attend the reunion – that doesn’t happen often. We held it in the same city as my parents, so they could see everyone (they hadn’t even met some of the great-grands). My dad died just before the reunion, so everyone was at his funeral, instead of giving him hugs.
A celebration and a sorrow, mingled together. I’m so grateful for our God, Who is with us through it all.
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ME TOO
Kathy!
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