When we face opposites

While having lunch with a friend this week,she shared about the recent juxtaposition of having had a concerning call backon a health issue and in the same week, learning about a forthcoming grandchild.The health concern was not minor and jarred her, and yet, here was also thiswonderful news which brought such delight.She expressed the challenge of holding such varied emotions in her heart at thesame time.

Later, a reading about David in a Bible studyI’ve been part of this spring illustrated this dilemma. In The God Who Sees by Kathie Lee Gifford and Joanne Moody, theywrite, “His Psalms, while often full of praise and joy, are also filled withanguish, sadness, and despair. David understood that he could feel both atonce. He could feel joy in the almighty God, but at the same time, he couldfeel overwhelmed by grief for his situation. Often, we think we can feel onlyone or the other . . . But, as evidenced by Psalm 13:1-6, this simply isn’ttrue. Praise and lament can coexist in our spirits.”

I’m sure we’ve all had times when we heldtwo opposite emotions in our hearts. I remember the thrill of receiving awriting award I never expected and the very next day learning of a seriousfamily situation—both of those within twenty-four hours. I suppose it’s not amatter if this will happen, but when it will, and how we will respond.

David gives us help here. After severalverses of lament, he writes, “But I will trust in your unfailing love, my heartrejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been goodto me” (Psalm 13:5-6). He makes his lament, and doesn’t skip over it, but he alsoopts to praise.

The same was true for my friend, she said,“At first the health issue threatened to overshadow the good news of my grandchild. But despite my circumstances (which the child was not aware of at the time), I chose to rejoicewith my family at this wonderful news.”

So, it comes down to trusting and praisingGod, as well as remembering all he has done for us even though we are also facinghardship. We don’t ignore our feelings or what we are going through, but asDavid did, we focus on the Lord and his goodness to us. It might even take aminute or two to get to that point, but still it’s our aim.

Making that choice with you, friend.

Beverly Varnado's most recent book is In Search of the Painted Bunting, a middle grade historical from Elk Lake Publishing, #1 in new releases in its category. She is also the author of several small town romances from Anaiah Press including her latest, A Season for Everything. All are available at Amazon. To explore the web version of One Ringing Bell, please visit bev-oneringingbell.blogspot.comTo sign up for her newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/dHNdsX Beverly Varnado copyright 2023