This morning I did not write in the flow of 2 Corinthians. Instead I was led to Philippians where we are to “rejoice in the Lord always.” Not sometimes. But always. And the result is the peace that surpasses all understanding. The result is not that we will get what we want in prayer. We instead get something even better–peace.
Lately I’ve been in deep grief at the loss of a friendship. How it unfolded was regretful. I would do anything in the world to go back and change things. But I can’t. I can’t. What’s done is done and the other person has made their decision that I’m not much part of their lives anymore.
I. Am. Heartbroken.
What can I do?
But then I paused today. This evening I remember that I am not suggested, but twice instructed to “rejoice in the Lord always.”
There is always a reason to rejoice in Jesus.
So I pulled over at a park, and became intentional about rejoicing. I remember that this life is short. In heave, things will be made right. I will see my friend there. Perhaps God can redeem this for something greater. For certain, I want to grow from it. The Lord is good too. He promises to never leave me alone. No matter how many mistakes I make with him, He himself does not leave.
As I continued to rejoice in the Lord, there was a lifting of the heaviness. I still hurt. I am still heartbroken. But there is life also now walking with pain. Together.
I am thankful for the tears. They took me back to Scripture. They brought me back to an eternal perspective.
This life is short. It is painful.
But it’s not forever.
We do have another forever. Thanks to Him.
Because of this, there is never not a time where we cannot find a means to rejoice.