The Sorrow That Leads to Joy

In the first part of 2 Corinthians 7, Paul speaks of the undeserved afflictions suffered by himself and those with him.  He even mentions the word "depression."  However, there was something else here to which I related, and that was the theme of repentance.  

It may sound strange to some people that Paul said he rejoiced the Corinthians were made sorrowful to the point of repentance.  The important thing to see here was not that he wanted them to be sorrowful, but being sorrowful to repentance is a good thing, because true repentance means a person has turned from his or her sin.  If you have ever been a parent, you know what joy it brings when your child realizes something she or he has done is wrong, and tells you he is sorry.   But not only is he sorry, he does not continue the wrong-doing.

In my own life, I thought how happy I am that I have turned from sin and to Jesus.  I already believed and had a rich personal relationship with God;  but after a series of very difficult things in my life and going through severe depression and illness, I began to have doubts about my relationship with God.  Even though I knew that I knew it was real, it no longer felt real.  I prayed and I tried to read scripture, but I could not focus.  However, God in His marvelous mercy and grace continued to work in my life, until I could come to that place of true repentance for my doubt and lack of discipline.

I am far from perfect now, but God has refreshed my soul and my life.  I'm still ill, but I'm happy anyway.  I am filled with His precious peace.  Praise be to God.  Not only that, God has refilled me with a zeal for sharing His word and the message of Jesus Christ to the world.  Because of my illness, I have stopped long enough to answer His call to write.  I am filled with much joy and concern for other people to know Jesus as their Savior, to trust Him with every facet of their lives.  It is absolutely amazing what God does in the hearts and lives of those who  take up their crosses and follow Him.

^{2 Corinthians 7}

⁸ For though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; 

though I did regret it—for I see that that letter caused you sorrow,

 though only for a while—

 ⁹ I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful,

 but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; 

for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, 

so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. 

¹⁰ For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret,

 leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.

 ¹¹ For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, 

has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear,

 what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong!

 "Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
 Used by permission."

Giving It To God

Yesterday, I was looking through the New Testament to find some verses for two of my grandsons.  As I was flipping through the Bible, my eye was caught by the word "depression."  I am happy to say that this is not a word that comes to my mind much anymore, but once it did;  moreover, I know there are many afflicted year round with depression, and there are others who struggle with seasonal depression.

As Thanksgiving approaches, I hope you are not depressed;  but if you are, take heart.  Even the apostle Paul struggled with depression at times, which is not surprising.  I would be surprised if he did not have PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder).  He had suffered stoning, imprisonment, and even been ship-wrecked.  However, he did not count his sufferings as loss, because they were for the cause of bringing others to salvation in Jesus Christ.  All he did was for God.

You can have the same joy Paul had and I have.  Give your cares to Jesus Christ.  You may think I don't understand, but I assure you I do, because I was so depressed at one time that felt that I was losing my faith.  However, God would not let me go.  Even when I did not know how to pray, the Holy Spirit interceded for me:  In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words (NASB, Romans 8:26).  Romans 8 is a wonderful chapter for Christians to read, because of great comfort for all of us there.  

Blessings upon you.  As I write, you are in my prayers.  I may not know your name, but God does.  Cast all your cares upon Him -- casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you   (NASB, 1 Peter 5:7).

2 Corinthians 7

1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from

 all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

² Make room for us in your hearts; we wronged no one, we corrupted no one, 

we took advantage of no one. ³ I do not speak to condemn you, for I have said

 before that you are in our hearts to die together and to live together.

 ⁴ Great is my confidence in you; great is my boasting on your behalf.

 I am filled with comfort; I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction.

⁵ For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest,

 but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within.

 ⁶ But God, who comforts the depressed,comforted us by the coming of Titus;

 ⁷ and not only by his coming, but also by the comfort

 with which he was comforted in you, as he reported to us your longing,

 your mourning, your zeal for me;  so that I rejoiced even more.

 "Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
 Used by permission."

Rejoice! Who me?

Yesterday, I wrote a devotion about Philippians 4:4-8.  Basically, I paraphrased this scripture;  and, I want to say something about what I wrote, because I know many of you may find the thought of being happy all the time hard to swallow.  Guess what!  I agree.  I doubt anyone is happy all the time:  it sounds impossible.  However, that is what I saw yesterday, as I read the scripture.

There is a joy that goes beyond being happy all the time.  And this joy is only available through knowing Jesus Christ, through trusting Him as the Lord of your life, as your Savior.  If you know Jesus, there is always a reason to rejoice.  Paul said, "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice (KJV, Phil. 4:40).  I think he was speaking of celebration.  Celebrate the Lord always, because knowing the Lord gives us reason to rejoice.  

Life doesn't always go the way we want it to go.  Things happen--sometimes, really bad things.  However, our attitude about life can make a difference.  Trusting in God and rejoicing in Him can make a difference.  You may say, she doesn't know:  I bet her life is great all the time.  No, it's not:  I watched my son die in a hospital.  I had a son-in-law that died in a car crash.  However, God gave my family and myself the strength to go through those things.  I can rejoice in God, because in the midst of horrible circumstances, He gives  peace that passes all understanding.

Controversy? Recriminations? Do Not Worry.

Today, I am tired of controversy, speculation, and recriminations.  I admit to having been keeping track of the political comments my friends are making or sharing on a well-known social media site.  I have made a few myself.  And I am tired, stressed, and have had an impending stress headache for several hours.  So, what do I have to say now?  The same thing I said yesterday, today, and tomorrow is what I have to say.  This is it.

Let me break down Philippians 4 into plain American English.  This is my paraphrase:

"Be happy in the Lord all the time.  This is very important -- we must rejoice.  Have restraint in your life, so all men know you are to be trusted, do not be full of excess in your life.  The Lord is near (all the time)  and He is coming soon.  (As we can see now--soon is relative in meaning to us.  We think soon is next week or next year, but it could be longer to the Lord.)  But live like Jesus will come today.  Live a life that pleases Him.  

Don't live your life in fear, worrying about everything.  Bring all your concerns to God in prayer with thanksgiving to God, because we know He answers prayer and He knows best.  If you pray believing in God's answer for whatever you pray, you will have peace that surpasses anything you have ever known.  This peace will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, where they should be.

Finally, brothers, think on things that you know are true, are honest, and are right.  Keep your minds on things that are pure, things that are lovely (wonderful, beautiful) and those things that are good about other people and life.  If there is anything virtuous or good, and if there is anything to be thankful about and about which to praise God, think these good thoughts."

Father in Heaven, I thank you for Your peace that encompasses me.  I can rest in You, knowing that there is nothing which is out of Your reach.  This earth, this universe, everything in it is Yours.  I trust Your wisdom, Your grace, and Your mercy, Lord.  Help me and my brothers and sisters in Christ to remember to lay our lives and our concerns into Your hands, trusting Your will to be done and thanking You for the answers.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

^{Philippians 4: 4-8 (King James Version)}

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

⁵ Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

⁶ Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

⁷ And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.