The Interconnectedness of Grief and Joy

“He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food.”   Job 36:16

 

As an Enneagram 7, I am drawn to joy.  I seek it and I reflect it.  People who know me best will tell you that I’m great at finding the silver lining in every situation.  I am known for being a cheerleader.  I love encouraging others!  Grief is another story.  I struggle with it.  It’s hard for me to even acknowledge or even feel my darker emotions – suffering, sadness, loneliness, brokenness…  

Recently I’ve been encouraged to step into my grief.  Why would I want to do that?  I want to stay in the light.  But because I trust those guiding me, I’ve begun, somewhat timidly, stepping down the path of grief.  Here’s what I’m discovering:

As we take time to acknowledge the loss of the things/people/dreams we love and care about so deeply, it causes us to look more closely at who we are without them.  What is our identity and what gives us worth and significance?  We begin to more fully embrace our true identity as God’s Beloved, His Adopted Children.  Our Creator is wooing us to let go of our current treasures so we can experience something more satisfying than anything this earth has to offer.  He is inviting us to a spacious place free from restriction, a table laden with choice food.  As we surrender to the ending of lesser things, the door to a new beginning opens – a deeper more intimate relationship with the One who knows us better than we know ourselves and loves us as no one else can – forever.  Joy!

 

“The LORD is my strength and shield.  

I trust Him with all my heart. 

 He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. 

 I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.”

Psalm 28:7 

 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the invitation to grieve which leads to deeper joy!

Lisa Brown