Joy & Sorrow

“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 (NASB 1995)

God created us with all kinds of emotions that can be felt at the same time. Joy and sorrow aren’t a common combination but there are certain times in life when it happens.

My big brother, Brandon, was very special to me. I looked up to him and thought he had all the answers. He was always so strong, physically and emotionally.

One day while I was at work, I got a call that changed everything. The ambulance had taken Brandon to the hospital after he’d had a grand-mal seizure at work. After all the testing, we would be told it was Stage 4 Brain Cancer. He was terminal at age 50.

He died a very slow and agonizing death that was difficult to watch. Week by week, the cancer weakened his body. There were many times that I begged God to take him Home to end his suffering.

On the day he died, I felt such sorrow but I felt such joy too.

He finally felt no more pain. The burden was lifted from my shoulders of watching his pain. The emptiness enveloped my heart but God also filled my heart with joy.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 tells us not to grieve as if we have no hope. Believers have the hope of heaven. Those left behind also know we will be reunited in heaven.

This truth brings joy in the midst of sorrow.

God understands the hurts in our heart, whatever they may be. He provides the comfort and hope to our weary souls.

James 4:8a (ESV) “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” Draw near to God through prayer.

If you find yourself losing a loved one to a terminal illness, I want to share the lessons I learned during this difficult time. I wrote In Times Like These: 30 Mini-Devotionals for Those With a Loved One Facing Terminal Illness to bring hope into an awful situation. For more information on the book, see https://www.amazon.com/Times-Like-These.../dp/B09DMXZBKP