We always struggle with the Bible’s commands to ‘rejoice in trials’ (James 1:2) or ‘glory in suffering’ (Romans 5:3), don’t we? We know the reasons and the theory – how it grows us and strengthens us – but that doesn’t make it any easier. And while it will never be easy, it is meant to broaden our scope and include the wider Christian community. That is, our sorrow can bring joy and comfort to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul’s personal experience testifies to this reality – that sorrow leads to repentance and repentance leads to joy. After all, joy is a much fuller and richer emotion when it follows sorrow and the subsequent learning and growth. See, the Christian community is all about shared joy over shared transformation because of our shared Saviour. And the more open and vulnerable we are with one another, the more we share this joy and transformation.
