Heavy

Christmas – family, love, peace, snow, presents. Isn’t Christmas such a joyful time? Isn’t this a time to be cheery, happy, and loving? Let’s be honest, some of us are not feeling all that joyful – rather, a heaviness of heart and despair are looming. Despite all the warm feelings often associated with Christmas, some of us are trying to nurse wounds that extend deep into our hearts. What are we to do in such circumstances? Should we put on a happy face and cover the grief inside in order to please those around us, or do we mope about in gloom and sorrow?

This dichotomy of joy and sorrow is an ever-present reality for Christians who will be honest with themselves. Do not be discouraged by this apparent paradox of affections. The Christian himself is paradoxical in that though he is fallen, he is eternally saved by grace. Though born a son of wrath and disobedience, he is adopted as a fellow heir with Christ, clothed in His righteousness. It is not out-of-the-ordinary for the Christian’s affections to be both joyful and sorrowful.

C.H. Spurgeon likened this seeming contradiction to the ocean. In a volume of water, it is possible to have furious surface currents flowing in one direction while forceful, steady deep-water currents flow in the opposite direction. So is the Christian: the dark, dangerous waves of despair crash at the surface while the steady, powerful under-current of joy carries in the opposite direction.

This intermingling of joy and sorrow is seen explicitly in Peter’s first epistle:

“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials.”
1 Peter 1:6

The original word for distressed is λυπέω which means to make sorrowful; affect with sadness. This is what the verse is addressing. Yes, there is a necessity (a reason for) “various trials;” however, this verse is not dealing with that. Rather, it is dealing with the necessity of λυπέω, the sorrow and sadness involved in the trials.

Have you thought about this before? We seem to be quite good at rationalizing our troubles into submission, but have you wondered if there is a purpose, a reason for the grief itself? Why is it that we must endure such terrible sadness? Is it some twisted, cruel joke?

Man is not that important. This, however, is not reflected in much of our daily thoughts, actions, deeds, or words. When we get a high view of ourselves, we tend to think we are not deserving of hardship or trial. We become bloated with pride and reliant on ourselves rather than God. Grief is sometimes used as a means to empty us of ourselves, a way to strip us of our pride. Spurgeon said it like this:

“Lest we should be satisfied from ourselves, and forget that all our own springs must be in him, the Lord sometimes seems to sap the springs of life, to drain the heart of all its spirits, and to leave us without soul or strength for mirth, so that the noise of tabret [tambourine] and of viol [stringed instrument] would be unto us as but the funeral dirge, without joy or gladness. Then it is that we discover what we are made of, and out of the depths we cry unto God, humbled by our adversities.”
C. H. Spurgeon

We need to unlearn this idea of the supremacy of man and his supposed self-sufficiency, and learn the supremacy of Christ above all things. John the Baptist gave us quite the example when he said “He [Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). We must see ourselves as less significant, and Jesus and increasingly precious and valuable.

One other plausible reason for heaviness of heart is to teach us to better love others. Pain and misery are common in our world. How are we to truly connect with these people if we have not endured such things ourselves? “There are none so tender as those who have been skinned themselves. Those who have been in the chamber of affliction know how to comfort those who are there” (Spurgeon). If we are to become encouragers, we must know what affliction is like.

If these are reasons for the experience of grief, what reason have we to rejoice? What reasons indeed! First, we must realize that we are the elect, the chosen of God! Not only did He know us before we were born, but He poured out His gracious and merciful love on us before the foundation of the world! Isaiah 46:4 delivers a promise the God’s elect:

“And even to your old age I will be the same, and even to your graying years I will bear you! I have done it, and I will carry you; and I will bear you and I will deliver you."
Isaiah 46:4

Oh, child of God, know that your Father is never changing. His love for you is unfailing and unfading. He has promised to carry you throughout your life. He will lift you up and take your burdens upon Himself. He has made you, He will lift you up, He will carry you and carry your burdens, and He will deliver you! Know that this life is not about you and your performance, but about Him accomplishing His purposes in your life (46:10).

Why else should we rejoice? We are saved! According to 1 Peter 1:2, God’s elect are justified by the blood of Christ and are sanctified by the Holy Spirit. What a comforting thought to know that no matter the despair you find yourself in, if you are a child of the King, you are forever justified before God. The shame of your sins is wiped away and you are clothed in the righteousness of Christ! Rejoice! Not only are His children justified, but they are changed (sanctified). They are made increasingly holy, increasingly like Christ. Do not be dismayed, grief is part of our existence. Even Christ experienced it! In the garden of Gethsemane, He was so tormented, He began to sweat blood.

Is there anything else that we might rejoice in? Yes! Peter proclaims in verse 4 that God’s children have an “inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away” that awaits them in heaven. No matter the suffering you endure now, know that it is but momentary, light affliction in comparison to the weight of glory you will experience in heaven (2 Corinthians 4:17). Be assured that awaiting you in heaven is an “inheritance incorruptible” (Spurgeon).

Finally, know that if you belong to God you are, “protected by the power of God through faith…” (1 Peter 1:5). You are kept by the hand of the sovereign God of the universe! Who could possibly snatch you away from Him? Who could rip you from His omnipotent hand? Those who are truly His, and truly His forever! No matter how desperate your situation, know that God Almighty has you in His loving, gracious, and merciful hands.

Sorrow is a very real affection in the lives of Christians. It has a purpose. It causes us to run to God and brings us to our knees in humility. Grief also gives us a ministry to those who are also hurting. It allows us to be sympathetic and love others to an extent not otherwise possible. But in the midst of grief, take heart that you can, and must, rejoice. It is not a mere empty intellectualization of your circumstances, but it is a true affection of the soul. Rejoice in God because He chose you before the foundation of the world, and not based on your merit (as we have none), but out of His sovereign grace. Rejoice because you are justified by Jesus’ death and are sanctified by the Spirit. Rejoice because you have an eternal, unfading inheritance awaiting you in heaven. Rejoice, child of God, because your Father keeps you. No person, thing, or circumstance can ever pluck you from His hand. You will never be separated from His love.

All of this must be said with a word of warning. All of this applies only to those who have received Jesus Christ. Hope is only found in Him; apart from Christ there is only infinite, eternal despair. The afflictions and sufferings of this life are only but a taste of the torment that is awaiting those who reject Christ. But for those who have fallen on their faces before Him, for those who have faith in the Son of God, there is reason to rejoice in the midst of grief.