It is a curious thing that we sometimes need pain to give birth to joy. Labor pains bring a child and new joy. Illness brings empathy and new joy. Sin brings humility and new joy. After a storm (especially here in Southern California, where storms are few and far between), everything seems so clear and clean. Likewise, after a storm or a whole winter of storms in our lives, we have a sort of a heightened sense of reality. A greater appreciation of beauty, a greater compassion, a greater desire to come before our Lord. I'm thinking this needing of pain to give birth to joy is another result of the fall. It is the opposite of what I would think and it is definitely the opposite of what I often tell myself. After all, I need fun and money and entertainment to have joy, don't I? I guess these things can bring a certain kind of joy, but the joy of the Lord isn't at all dependent on these kinds of things. The joy of the Lord seems to flourish under difficult circumstances and these other "joys", though not wrong in themselves, can sometimes dull the joy of the Lord.
Near the end of the devotion, it says, "It is comforting to know that sorrow tarries only for the night; it takes its leave in the morning." Sometimes in deep sorrow and dark storms, it seems to me that it isn't going to clear. I'm praying and trying to learn to have a sense of hope in these times, to have a little part of me that knows the morning will come.
I was just thinking of a question, if anyone would care to answer. Throughout my life, I've had a few hard times, but virtually none of them had to do with individual people's sin. What I mean is there has been illness and death and stuff, but I didn't have much experience with people choosing gross sin that affects others (abuse, adultery, lying). In the last few years, I have experienced this other type of trial several times (not with my husband, just to be clear). This type of pain seems so much more overwhelming to me and hard to process in my mind. My question is, have any of you experienced this distinction? Do you have more peace and joy in trials that seem to be the direct hand of God and less peace and joy in trials that people choose to inflict? Just curious.
Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning.
julies5monkeys
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I think that the joy that comes from sin comes AFTER repentance - I don't know with a complete sense of experience - BUT I do know that once there is repentance there comes JOY.
Now if you are talking about where someone else's sin causes death or some other hard time then I can imagine that peace is a little harder to come by, especially if you don't have a right view of God and His providence over circumstances. The truth is that trials that come from sin are even the hand of God through His providence. I had someone try to comfort me with this comment, "God never intended this to happen." Well, of course He DID! and I feel like this person will have no/little comfort or peace when it comes her time for trials.
I know that you know the joy that is born through suffering through what you have been through in your life AND I have to scream out it is completely AMAZING and it is the redeeming factor in PAIN!
Just my two cents.
You are so right-- there can be no true joy in our own life without repentance of our sins. What you said is exactly what I am getting at. The trials that come by way of other's sins are also the hand of God, but for some reason this grieves me more and takes me longer to get some godly perspective on. Thanks Pinky! Happy Lord's Day!
It is an interesting question that you pose...
As a PK and MK, I believe that much of my childhood was inflicted with pain because of the sins of others, many of whom were Christians. Unfortunately, I did not have a good understanding of God's Sovereignty as it was not part of the doctrine fed to me. Thus, each wound only drove me farther and farther from joy until I was completely lost and confused. Praise God that he dropped me in lap of BOH for some much needed healing and doctrine.
I am currently in a situation where another person has inflicted pain on me...it has been four months now that I have held this burden. And, it is only now that I am getting ready to lay it down. [thanks to some Godly council from M1 and J1]. I have spent much time in prayer; much time in disbelief; and much time in feeling sorry for myself. Now, I am ready to lay down the burden. In terms of the godly perspective...I don't know that I am Biblically obligated to continue in the relationship. However, it just seems to me that doing so will make me more humble. It is an act of turning the other cheek. Wether or not it will bring me joy to do this, I do not know. I do know it will bring me more pain. Perhaps the joy will be on the other side of glory, when God says, "Well done." Ultimately, I don't expect to get joy from suffering inflicted on me by others. I do expect to get refined/shaped. If I am fortunate enough to see the joy on this side of heaven, so be it. If not here, I'm sure He will reward us there. All that said, yes, I agree, it is harder to see the joy when it is inflicted by others...especialy loved ones, family and fellow saints.
[I know I kind of worked through my thought process here in the comment...I will keep mulling this over...it is a very worth wild question that you posed and I thank you for doing so!]
Thanks, Marchelle and I will pray for you in this situation. I've been noticing (and I don't know if this applies to you) that a lot of Christians expect themselves and other people to get over things really fast. Forgive and forget, I guess. I think that God made us with a capacity for sadness, pain, etc. We are not to be ruled by these things, but I do think they are part of who we are and part of a journey toward forgiveness, repentance AND new joy. In my opinion, if a person is deeply wounded, this journey can take a little while. People seem to sometimes be upset with themselves when they are in this state of mind. I am concerned when someone says they can't or won't forgive or they think that God can't bring restoration in any manner. When someone wants to forgive, to lay down a burden, as you have said, then they are heading in the right direction. Time, Scripture reading, good counsel and much prayer are in order, as you know. Like a broken bone takes time to heal, our other hurts can take time, too, no?
I have a question upon my last question in regard to something you said in your response. You said you don't ultimately expect joy from pain inflicted by others, but refinement or shaping. I guess what the devotion might be getting at is that the joy of the Lord comes in the morning because God meets us there, because of the refinement, because He brought us through. Not because we sadistically enjoy being treated badly or participating in sin. What do you think? If you don't have time to answer, no worries.
In my experience, the sins of others have been more difficult to endure and experience joy than death and illness. Although, I did finally come to a certain point of understanding God's sovereignty in regards to the sins of others. Just like death and illness, His hand is there. And He has a purpose for everything.
My sister's divorce taught me a lot of different life lessons; however I am not at the point yet where I can honestly say that I understand why divorce was a part of God's plan for her. I am not sure I will ever understand His purposes in that regard. If anything, I now harbor so much guilt for the pain I have inflicted on others because of my sin. I wish I could trust in the blood of Christ more.
I don't know if anyone is going to post on today's (12/11)reading, but I wanted to say that if I am blessed with just 1oz of Pinky's ability to praise God during a time of sorrow, I will be a very fortunate person. :) --MG
MG - The poem on the 11th was so moving to me and of course made me cry. I want more than anything to praise and follow God through anything. He is the end that I want not the blessings He gives to me and that keeps me going. He is my focus and I will follow Him no matter the cost. You are so sweet with the whole 1oz thing BUT it is sooo not me, God has given me so much GRACE and has filled me with Himself - there is no way that I could ever do this - it is not in me with OUT Christ!
Wow, I just tear up reading Pinky's comment to MG. I've only been home two and a half days and I am missing Pinky so much!!! To be in Pinky's house and presence is like being at the feet of Jesus. There is such a complete dependency on Him. And, honestly, what else is there? She and the kids have nothing in or of themselves...they only have Christ right now. All else is vain and empty. It is only in talking about Christ and reading the Word that eyes brighten and smiles shine. C's bday was a wonderful time filled with celebration...and at the end of the day...C was devastated to find that all the enjoyment of the day could not fill the void and hole in her heart. I can only pray that God would hurry and fill that void with Himself, that C could call out, "Abba, Father!" (Rom 8:15) I pray that they will know God's words "I will be a Father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me." 2 Cor. 6:18
GOD OF COMFORT...PLEASE COMFORT MY FRIENDS!
In response to jalamadreamer...
the burden being set down now, I am glad to report that there is an immense joy within me that I did not anticipate or expect. I have released my "control" of the pain and given it to Christ and He has in return given me great peace. In the past three weeks I have reconciled three different relationships. When I told Pinky this she said, "Don't you feel better having laid down those burdens?" I thought for some moments and then said, "I feel like I can die now." She smiled and said, "that is how to live each day... Ready!"
So go out and Live Ready!
xxoo
I am so happy for you! Praise be to the Lord.
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