“Always be full of joy in the Lord.  I say it again–rejoice!”  Philippians 4:4

This past week I felt my heart breaking at the news of two young men dying in the river at Golden Ears.  One of them was a dear family friend whom I had known since he was three months old.

While grief seemed to fill every corner of my heart, I also felt joy breaking in.  As I chose to consider the hope and the promise we have in Christ Jesus, joy would accompany my grief and the tremendous loss I felt.

It may seem strange to grieve with joy; but in darkness I was glad that Jesus was with us.  So I could rejoice in the Lord.  Music helped.  Scripture helped.  Praying helped.  Sitting quietly in nature helped.  Being with people who trust Jesus helped.  But ultimately I found I had to ask God to send His Spirit to help me rejoice in the Lord.

“Always be full of joy in the Lord.  I say it again–rejoice!”
Philippians 4:4