Prevailing Purpose

Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. Ecclesiastes 7:3-4

As I am writing this, I have encountered both deep suffering and overwhelming joy in my work this week. And both play an important role in the interaction of the other.

On one hand, I have listened to individuals who are in the midst of intense circumstances. Because of sin’s presence in the world, their lives have been turned upside down and they deeply feel it’s effects. As I listened to and prayed with them, I have left some sessions with a heavy weight on my mind, aching for the day when all our suffering will be redeemed.

I have also felt my humanity and inadequacy and I am forced to acknowledge that truly, there is so little that I can do. While I do believe counseling is important and helpful, and I find walking alongside women who are suffering and being allowed to speak into their lives to be an immense privilege, a counselor is always limited. I can encourage them with truth from the Word, point them to the Lord, give them tools and resources and support, but ultimately it is up to them to take steps forward and God to bring about heart transformation.

However, in this same week I had two significant encouragements. First, I concluded a case with a woman who is almost unrecognizable from our very first session together. As I asked my final reflection questions she answered with a calm and confidence not found in herself, but in her God. Later that day I received an email from a former client with a happy update in her life. During our time together we had prayed regularly for this event and talked through many emotions surrounding it. As I read her words it was clear that they were no longer filled with anguish, but with joy and excitement.

These moments of celebration were made so much sweeter because of the sorrow that these women had walked through. And it is these moments of joy that fuel my interactions with those in the throws of suffering. In our darkest days and most difficult cases it can be hard to see through the fog. We wonder if and how things will get better. But when the fog does lift, our emotions are untangled, and we come through to the other side, we see clearly how God’s hand moved behind the scenes to bring freedom and redemption.

The bitterness of suffering highlights the sweetness of that redemption and gives us hope for the days ahead. But until every sad thing is made untrue, we rightfully long for the day when our bitter tears are wiped away forever. Ultimately, in both seasons of sorrow and moments of joy, we can be certain that our God is near and he will not leave us here in our grief. As surely as the sun will rise in the East, he will return for us and bring peace and justice throughout the earth.

He who testifies these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! Revelation 22:20

If you are walking through a difficult season and can benefit from biblical counseling, schedule a session with myself or another qualified counselor today.

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