I recall a Christian hymn that we used to sing quite often. I still remember the words. . . But sometimes, somehow, and on some days the words just ring hollow.

“It is joy, unspeakable and full of glory, full of glory, full of glory. . . And the half has never yet been told.”

I don’t know about you, but I would love to live this way every day. . . having an inexpressible joy, an over-the-top abundance of joy beyond my ability to contain it. For me, though, this simply has not yet been attainable.

There’s another song: “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart. . . down in my heart to stay, and I’m so happy so very happy. . .” And so on and so on.

We have peace, love, and an abiding presence of the Lord by the Holy Spirit down deep in our hearts; but that doesn’t mean that as Christians we are happy all the time.

Recently I mentioned grief.  Sorrow and grieving are natural responses and emotions we experience after a loved one passes away. And it’s true, that we do not sorrow as others do, because of our hope in the Lord. The joy comes only AFTER the sorrow and pain of loss.

We make our lament to the Lord, then we cast our burden upon Him. Jesus will carry us through until our joy returns.  Just as Jesus rose from the dead on Easter, we were soar with Him and live again in Victory.

Today I recalled the song “What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear.”

Since He bore them, we can live FREE of sorrow, sadness, and grief.

“Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy” ~~ John 16:22.

“My friends, we want you to understand how it will be for those followers who have already died. Then you won't grieve over them and be like people who don't have any hope.” ~~ 1 Thessalonians 4:13 (CEV).

“The pain that you've been feeling, can't compare to the joy that's coming” ~~ Romans 8:18.