Joy & Sorrow

Are you holding both joy and sorrow this Christmas season?

I sometimes find it difficult to feel more than one emotion at a time. If I’m happy, I want to feel HAPPY. And if I’m feeling sad, I can fully immerse myself in SAD.

But life isn’t that black and white. Life is most often a mix of emotions. Maybe that’s why “bittersweet” has become one of my favourite words. Because it so perfectly describes life sometimes. Although perhaps I’d like less of the bitter and more of the sweet.

But I also like to look at that word as a progression—what first feels bitter and unpleasant can become something that feels sweet and positive.

The loss of a loved one: bitter and painful, but with time, and focusing on gratefulness for the love you shared, the memory of them is sweet and precious. The memory of my sister who died is forever wrapped in bittersweet.

Christmas can bring situations or relationships that are bittersweet. Disappointment, hurt, and loss collide with the joy, excitement, and love of the season.

This Christmas season, I encourage you to hold both joy and sorrow if they rise up for you. And I encourage you to invite Jesus into that mixture. He was a man of joy and sorrow.

Isaiah 53:3 (NLT): He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.

Jesus understands. He lived it—broken relationships, betrayal, loss, physical and emotional pain. Jesus offers to be our companion and role model. And Hebrews 12:2 (NLT) gives us the path:

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

The joy set before Him.

I’m learning to focus on that—the joy set before me in eternity, and the joy that God sets before me in the moment. The joy that can be found in knowing that He is with me, and He is working in the situations and relationships. He is working in my life and in my heart.

Joy doesn’t always kick out sorrow.
Joy says, Let me make this pain a little less bitter.
Joy, like Jesus, walks alongside.
Joy says, Make space for me, look for me, you’ll find me in Jesus.
❤️