JOY IN SORROW

          Noting his cool attitude and bright cheerfulness when confronted with a very serious illness, a doctor once told his patient:  Your optimism is inappropriate for your situation.  How is it that some people can be miserable in the lap of leisure while others can be joyful in the midst of misery?

Emperor Nero grumbled on his throne while the apostle Paul rejoiced with song in a dungeon.  People often seek happiness in all the wrong places.

It’s not found in the purse (wealth); Neither is it found in pleasures or power or prestige;  And it is certainly not obtained via potent potables (pills or alcohol).  Actually, real joy is not found in the pursuit of happiness.  The sacred Scriptures reveal that joy is not a quest in itself, but rather, it is the byproduct of a life lived seeking to please God and help others.  King Solomon discovered this truth first-hand (cf. Eccl.1:2 and Eccl.12:13-14).  

          Augustine profoundly observed:  “Man was made for God and will not rest until he rests in God.”  When we seek happiness it tends to elude us.  But when we do right with God and others, we find ourselves embracing happiness and immersed in joy.  Real happiness is found when we live for something bigger than ourselves.  Or, to speak more Biblically, when we freely place ourselves in the full service of God.  Like Jesus, King David was a man of many sorrows.  Yet his psalms are filled with joy.  The root of David’s joy was not found circumstantial relief, per se.  Often he seems  to be at wit’s end.  It was a God-ward focus that infused joy into the life of David:  In Thy presence is fullness of joy; In Thy right hand are pleasures forever (Ps.16:11).   This same heavenward gaze is noted throughout the lives of New Testament characters.  For the joy set before Him, (Jesus) en-dured the cross (Heb.12:2).  While being stoned to death, Stephen possessed a joyful heart (Acts 6:15 & 7:59f).  Peter and John were flogged by the Sanhedrin, but they went on their way rejoicing that they had been counted worthy to suffer for his name.(Acts 5:41). 

          In language that seems on the face of it to be “upside down” (as least by common human standards), the apostolic writers confirm in their   epistles that they had come to understand clearly the concept of joy in the midst of sorrow.  James writes, consider it all joy, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance (Js.1:2).  Peter echoes this sense:  if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not feel ashamed, but in that name let him glorify God (1Pet.4:16).  Paul defines the life of a disciple as sorrowful yet always rejoicing (2Cor.6:10).

          Dr. James Means in his book, Tearful Celebration, writes, “The hallelujahs of joy reverberate on broken heart strings.  Our rejoicing is not that of happy feelings; it is triumph in trial and confidence in a supreme God.”  God continues to call us to REJOICE IN SUFFERING.  Whatever it is that ails us, let us learn to SUFFER WITH A SMILE - - not a smile plastered on to make a show, but a smile that reflect a deep down sense of joy and gratitude in spite of whatever circumstances we face.                                                                                        

                                                                  Terry Siverd / Cortland Church of Christ