Feeling sorrow and pain is part of being human. They are emotions that we are created with. God gave us these intentionally. I look at them as part of his tools for us to really understand what we should view as being important. Tools to help us to understand where to put value. The year 2021 brought these emotions to me and my family like no other. We lost three men within months of each other that were very important in my life. My biological father in January. My father figure in March. And my stepfather in August. I could go on and on about how each one of these men shaped my life. But that’s not the point of this devotion.
Feeling joy is also an emotion that we have. Another amazing part of being created. Once again, a tool that God uses to teach us what is important. Just as pain and sorrow can rock us to our core, joy can lift us to a height that we never thought imaginable. It can move us to tears. Watching our children and our grandchildren brings us great joy. Being with somebody experiencing their first successful hunt can bring us joy. Celebrating the victory of your favorite sports team does as well. I’m sure we all have other examples. Once again, not the point of this devotion.
We mentioned the other day that next week is Thanksgiving week. The week of being thankful. I am thankful that our God instilled emotions in us. Emotions that include pain and joy. If you think about it, they really are amazing. In his famous speech, Jim Valvano told us to have our emotions moved us to tears each day. As he was dying, he understood the importance of pain and joy. I am so thankful that our God loves us so much, that tears from emotions were part of his plan. Sure, I don’t want to feel pain. No one does. But I’m thankful that I can understand what is important. I am thankful that I get to go through pain and joy. I am thankful, because they give me a full heart. And they will give you a full heart too. Because…God loves us. Always has. Always will.
