Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbours and an object of dread to my closest friends - those who see me on the street flee from me.

I am forgotten as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery.

For I hear many whispering, "Terror on every side!" They conspire against me and plot to take my life.

But I trust in you, LORD; I say, "You are my God."

My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me.

Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.

Psalm 31:11-16 NIV

Yesterday was a cold, cloudy, and windy day, and it was perfect for my wife to bless me with some warm soup. It's nice to be inside and be warmed by soup on miserable days; I find it comforting. When we experience cold and miserable days, I wonder if we need the comfort of nice warm soup. Whether it be the loss of a loved one or the missing of someone who lives far away, I’m sure we can all resonate with the feeling of cold, miserable days.

We tend to think that as Christians, we aren’t allowed to have miserable days, that we have to force the day to be bright and sunny and put on a smiling face. That is happiness; it isn’t joy. Joy is what we are called to have. Joy can feel sadness, and joy can have cold and miserable days. The difference is that joy has its feet set on the love of Christ, and no matter how bad things get or how sad we may feel, joy brings us back to the peace and love of Jesus Christ.

We aren’t called to make the days sunny and bright and put a smile on our faces. We are called to mourn with those who mourn (Romas 12:15) and weep with those who weep. We are called to acknowledge hurt and loss, sadness and sorrow. We are called to sit in those cold, windy, miserable days and still know that God is always good, even though this is true. That is what joy is. 

So, if we are called to sit in this cold and miserable weather, why not do it with a warm bowl of soup? Why not replenish ourselves with things that fill us up on depleting days? I don’t mean numbing out the feelings with TV or food; I mean refilling our spirit with time spent with God in prayer and Scripture. It doesn’t always take the miserable day away. Still, it's the perfect way to be on a miserable day, the ideal way to feel whole again and to embrace everything.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for keeping us warm when we are feeling cold, tired, and sad. We thank you that we can turn to you in both good circumstances and bad ones. We ask that you bless us with real joy, not just fleeting happiness. We look to you when everything in us fails. We love you, Lord. Help us love you more. Amen.

-Austin Christianson

Shepherding and Worship Pastor