Few people understand that to experience big joy we must experience big sorrow. Because most of us are working so hard at trying to be happy on the surface, we miss the pathway leading to true spiritual joy of the heart! That pathway to elevated joy must begin with an encounter with hardship, loss, or disappointment. This paradox brings hope to those who suffer!

When we go through difficulty, we often tend to grit our teeth and try to hold ourselves together as we continue with the struggle. Many of us have been taught that this is a way of being strong spiritually. But when we squelch the emotions that need to be expressed, life begins to feel too hard. That leads us to the next path we must choose to travel, the “trail of tears.” Jesus is lovingly waiting for us on this trail with open arms and heart. He is close, loving us unconditionally, listening and feeling our pain as we embrace and then release our emotions and tears to Him. For some, this trail is short, but for others who have suffered greatly, the process of release will take longer. Don’t be afraid of this trail. Crying is the way we let out the hardness in our hurting hearts and make room for the Lord’s replacement of joy and singing!

“They who sow in tears shall reap in joy and singing” (Psalm 126:5).