Trading Our Sorrows

The word “sorrow” describes in one little word some of the deepest emotions we can feel. It is defined as a feeling of distress caused by loss, disappointment, or other misfortune suffered by oneself or others. Although we rarely use this word these days, we certainly understand the feeling it describes. Darrell Evans wrote the song “Trading My Sorrows,” and it contains a beautiful, biblical image of what happens when we share our sorrows with God. We can find that they are overcome and eclipsed by His sovereign grace.

I love the words of that song, which paraphrase Psalm 30 beautifully: 

I am pressed but not crushed, 

Persecuted not abandoned 

Struck down but not destroyed… 

Though the sorrow may last for the night, 

His joy comes with the morning!  

Sorrow is a feeling that many are burdened with today; the pain of life, the loss of a loved one, and the constant reminders of our broken world weigh heavily on us. I appreciate how C.S. Lewis describes the role of sorrow and grief in our Christian life in his classic book, A Grief Observed. He writes, “We were promised sufferings. They were part of the program. We were even told, 'Blessed are they that mourn,' and I accept it. I've got nothing that I hadn't bargained for. Of course, it is different when the thing happens to oneself, not to others, and in reality, not imagination.” 

Sorrow should not come as a surprise. But thanks be to God, He can help us trade our sorrows for something far greater. Grief, sorrow, and mourning are incredibly appropriate; we know that even Jesus wept at the loss of His friend Lazarus, knowing that He was going to raise him from the dead! Over time, our sorrow can be eclipsed by our eternal perspective. It is awesome to think that when we truly experience His divine comfort, we can find our mourning turned into dancing. 

As the Psalmist puts it so joyfully, “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!” (Psalm 30:11-12 ESV)

I hope, amidst our mourning, this is a sweet reminder that our mourning can be transformed into joy in His loving presence.

Expectantly,

Shawn