Integrity in Joy
How interesting it is to reflect back on your younger self! This blog post is from circa 2005! I guess some things never change! It is interesting to look back and consider the themes and passions that are still very alive within me today! Sjr
What is the balance between exuding joy and/or sadness in our Christian walk?
I've been mulling over both of these questions lately and so, of course I have ideas about what I think it might look like, but. . . actually more questions than anything.
I've thought about this question for many years due to my studies in counseling and thinking about the true deprivation of people and the hurt and pain we all experience, and yet we have such a wonderful, undisputable HOPE. Where do we find balance between the two. The real feelings of sadness, the real hurt and pain and the hope and the demonstration in scripture of joy in tribulation. I think there are extreme answers on both sides of this argument. . . those who say you must have joy or you are in sin. And maybe that is a true statement, for we are admonished to practice patience in trials, to give thanks in all things, to have joy. But my question is, then what does joy actually look like?
Is true joy something that you see on the outside? Is joy a perspective? Is depression or sadness? Should we pull ourselves up by our boot straps and put a smiles on our faces? Or is it okay to struggle? Does a soberness and sadness about real life sometimes represent the struggle between the fallen world we live in and the hope that is in us? Can we perfectly represent joy in tribulation? Are we expected to? Is there any room for different stages in the Christian walk? Should we make sure to offer room for those who still feel a sense of helplessness and depression when they see the reflection of their true ugliness and darkness when revealed by the scriptures and the truth? We have such a great God to trust, are we allowed to grow into trusting him more and more?
I get that all of my thought processes lean towards one view or seem to be questioning the simple command have joy. So, I should say that I believe we are to be joyful people. We are to be the lights of the world. We are solidiers of the truth and we are to act accordingly. But we must do it in Christ's strength. It must be His joy, His light, His strength, His discipline, His truth. I am not an advocate for wallowing in our sorrows, believe me! But I just wonder if when talking with someone who seems to not be able to get a grip on this joy thing what else can we say besides "you must have joy, don't you know that we have a great Hope, have joy". How do we break it down, how do we speak convincingly about the truth we are trying to convey (as Paul did so many times). How do we say "have joy" in a way that invites them to take action and not to fall into a deeper sense of helplessness? How do we say in a way that motivates a true deep sense of joy and hope and trust that is then felt in all the darkest alone times? A kind of joy that is not a facade, that is not a coping mechanism, but a world view. It is the way we go into hard times looking for the Father's purposes, not just the way we react to the hurt and pain when it comes. But if we are not growing in joy, how can we expect joy will be what overflows when trials come. And how can we expect it of others?
Maybe a conclusion I can make today is that joy is a result of preparing for suffering and of having a proper perseptive of self and God. Preparing and Developing. We must take action!
