Recently, I came across a video on social media from someone I’ve never met announcing the gift of a child after years of loss and waiting. I was swept up into the celebration of these strangers over this new life. (Funny how social media works, huh?) In the video there was a reference made to the second part of Psalm 30:5 which says, “Weeping may stay overnight, but there is joy in the morning.”
I certainly relate as I consider the ways the Lord has kindly blessed me with undeserved gifts after long stretches of heartache and sorrow. However, after watching the video my mind drifted to loved ones (and even situations in my own life) still in the longing phase—desire for a spouse, miscarriages or infertility, chronic illness, severed relationships, jobs stripped away—with no guarantee of healing or marriage or children or reconciliation this side of heaven.
This is the reality that sin brought into our world. And even when we do receive that thing we longed for, it’s never perfect. It will still disappoint at some level because of the reality of sin and its far-reaching effects. Our miracle kids will test our patience, we’ll experience conflict with our longed-for spouse, one illness replaces another, and incredible opportunities lose their sheen. Our initial reaction to the pain and disappointment may be to look at the world in confusion and despair like Solomon expressed in Ecclesiastes:
All things are wearisome,
more than anyone can say.
The eye is not satisfied by seeing
or the ear filled with hearing. (Ecclesiastes 1:8)
And,
I said to myself, “Go ahead, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy what is good.” But it turned out to be futile. (Ecclesiastes 2:1)
But after this despair, he goes on to say,
In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity, consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that no one can discover anything that will come after him. (Ecclesiastes 7:14)
The reality is that every glimmer of joy we experience on earth along with every valley of difficulty is supposed to point us back to the Lord.
As Christians, we have unwavering hope that eternal, unimaginable joy awaits us in God’s presence because of Jesus Christ. Because of that reality, God can and will use every circumstance we walk through, good or bad, as a tool to remind us that something far greater lies beyond the finish line of this life. We’re being prepared during this current “night” for a perfect, unending dawn, the light of which is the very glory of God (Rev. 21:23). Just like the night has glittering stars and a glowing moon, so this life holds gifts of joy that contrast with the darkness. But like the moon’s light is a reflection of the sun, so those instances of joy are a reflection of something far greater and brighter yet to come.
How do we hold onto this hope when our circumstances feel joyless or when we see others receiving the very things we so long for?
Keep Our Eyes Forward
James 1:2–4 says,
Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
When we discipline our hearts to view our current pain in light of the hope of eternity, it shifts our entire perspective. When our eyes are on Christ rather than on the fulfillment of a temporal desire, He takes that difficulty and uses it to build endurance in us. He uses the trial as a chisel in our inner life, smoothing and shaping it with laser-sharp precision, maturing and equipping, preparing us for the unimaginable joy that is to come. He knows how to use trials to wrench this life out of our grip and help us see there’s something far better that’s ahead.
Dwelling on verses like the ones above and turning to the Lord in prayer when we feel overcome by our emotions is a must. When we do, He’ll comfort and strengthen us, one moment at a time.
Rejoice with Those Who Rejoice
In Romans 12:15 we read, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.”
The first part of that verse can be acutely difficult when we’re called to rejoice with another who’s received what our heart longs for. But let me tell you: it’s one of the most powerful and beautiful ways to remind ourselves that our story is safe with Christ. It doesn’t take away the pain but it entrusts our heart to the One who sees the beginning from the end. Our knee-jerk reaction is to withdraw, to nurse our hurt, or to become bitter. But when we choose to obey regardless of our feelings, it is yet another way we’re storing up future joy in eternity. And somehow, He miraculously uses this obedience to comfort us too.
I’ll never forget when, early on in my last pregnancy, a dear friend of mine asked if she could pray over me and the tiny baby growing in my womb. Just weeks before, her own precious babe had gone to be with the Lord. Her stunning act of sacrificial rejoicing was one of the most significant gifts I’ve ever been given and continues to be an example to my heart when I’m called to rejoice with someone who has received something I long for.
Give Thanks in Everything
Rejoicing in Christ and giving thanks in everything plays a significant part in the life of a believer.
Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Then just two verses later, “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Phil. 4:6).
These are not arbitrary commands—they come with a promise: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7).
When we’re in seasons of longing or suffering, it’s all-too-easy for our circumstances to warp us into believing we don’t have anything to be joyful about. But that’s simply not true. Because of Jesus we always have something to rejoice in. And when we choose to obey through the grace of His Spirit, our hearts and minds are guarded with His peace. We’re not dangerously swayed by our emotions. We remember that the presence of Jesus—God with us—is our ultimate joy. Thanking Him is the perfect place to start.
God Himself Is Our Joy
C.S. Lewis, one of my favorite authors, had much to say about true joy. In his book Mere Christianity he says,
If you want to get warm you must stand near the fire: if you want to be wet you must get into the water. If you want joy, power, peace, eternal life, you must get close to, or even into, the thing that has them. They are not a sort of prize which God could, if He chose, hand out to anyone. They are a great fountain of energy and beauty spurting up at the very centre of reality. If you are close to it, the spray will wet you: if you are not, you will remain dry.1
God Himself is joy. And because He’s given us Himself, this joy is available to us continually. It is ours, in part, in Him. And one day, we’ll experience it in full. We can say with David,
I always let the LORD guide me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad
and my whole being rejoices;
my body also rests securely.
For you will not abandon me to Sheol;
you will not allow your faithful one to see decay.
You reveal the path of life to me;
in your presence is abundant joy;
at your right hand are eternal pleasures. (Psalm 16:8–11)
1 C. S. Lewis, “Reflections: Catching the Good Infection of Christ,” C.S. Lewis Institute, May 3, 2022, https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/resources/reflections-may-2014/.
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