Joy in Times of Heaviness

(Picture credits at end of post)

Philippians 4:4-9

Christian joy is unlike any other joy. It rises to higher heights and is at home in the worst and the best of circumstances. Its secret is that it does not depend upon circumstances, but on God Himself and his matchless provisions.

In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.  (1 Peter 1:6-9 – NASB)

Notice how “greatly rejoice” is uttered with the same breath as “in heaviness.” Can one greatly rejoice at the same time as being in great heaviness? Apparently so! That is the paradox and the glory of Christian experience. It is not confined to the normal spectrum of human emotions, because it is rooted in God Himself.

Is this the kind of joy you have? Can you be in heaviness, yet at the same time experience the joy of the Lord? Can you weep at some tragedy, yet know the sustained joy and confidence in a faithful God? If not, you should know it is available to you in Christ Jesus. It is part of your inheritance obtained through His death on the Cross.

This joy is based on a salvation already received, by faith in Jesus Christ. If this joy is not yours, either you have not truly come to Jesus, or you have allowed some cloud to come between you and the Saviour, be it the sin of unbelief, or something else that dims the light of Heaven in your soul.

A Bed of Roses

© Tuesday 7^th October 2014 – by Christopher Shennan

Even in a bed of roses

There will be many, many thorns;

In a life of pure devotion,

There will be times of deep forlorn.

A gardener accepts that roses,

With their beauty and their fair bloom,

Will produce some sharp surprises;

God gives sunshine, but also gloom.

When you walk with God and treasure

Those moments of peace and pure bliss,

There’ll also be times of sorrow,

And you must be prepared for this.

Roses and thorns grow together,

So also can joy and deep pain;

God gives the sunshine to warm us,

But He also gives clouds for rain.

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Heaviness (Depression) CC-PD-Mark Vincent van Gogh’s 1890 painting,Sorrowing old man (‘At Eternity’s Gate’)