“I’ve seen days of sorrow in my lifetime when the light of day my burdens seemed to hide.  But in every situation, I was learning that the beauty of sorrow is the joy on the other side.  Thank God for sorrow.  Thank God for pain.  Thank God for troubles so hard they brought me back to Jesus again.  I’ve learned through sorrow in Him to abide ‘cause the beauty of sorrow is the joy on the other side.  Jesus was called a man of sorrows.  He suffered pain and grief ‘til He died.  He patiently endured the cross ‘cause the beauty of sorrow is the joy on the other side.”
Music and lyrics by Jerry White.

I recorded this song many years back because it has greatly spoken to my heart over the years.  I sang it when my Mother passed away.  I’ve sung it since more times than I can remember when sorrow and loss have come to rob me of my joy.  It’s at those times that I can always sing it from my heart. I HAVE learned that in life there WILL be sorrow, loss and grief, and I have also learned that in life there is always beauty in that sorrow IF we travel with Jesus to the other side!

“To know sorrow is to know loss.  Sorrow represents one of the most complex human emotions because it’s a sadness tinged with beauty and joy.  We are sorrowful because we miss what was once or could have been wonderful.  We remember the joy but are simultaneously aware of its absence.”  Heather Holloman

 

I have a little reminder sitting on my desk.  It’s a tiny Victorian perfume bottle. I love its colors of purple, wine, pink and rose.  The flowers are tiny and contain sparkly centers.  When I look at it, I feel so encouraged because God’s word says, “You keep track of all my sorrows.  You have collected all my tears in Your bottle.  You have recorded each one in Your book.”  Psalm 56:8 NLT.

 

 

 

 

 

One day recently I felt overwhelmed by sorrow and grief in yet another loss in my life.  I looked at my little bottle and Holy Spirit said, “Dear One, your bottle has become full of your tears.  Today I am going to empty it and water the garden of your life with your own tears.   As I do this, you will come to know that the beauty of your own sorrow…it’s the joy on the other side.”

 

 

“Does Jesus care when my heart is pained too deeply for mirth and song?  When the burdens press and the cares distress and the way grows weary and long?  Oh, yes, He cares.  I know He cares.  His heart is touch with my grief.  When the days are weary, the long night dreary, I know my Savior cares.”  Words and lyrics by Bill Gaither.

Perhaps you find yourself in a place today of sorrow, loss, grief, and pain.  Please know that Jesus is catching your tears in His bottle and when the time of fullness has come, He will empty your bottle and water your life with your tears.  You will experience growth because you will have learned that the beauty of sorrow is the joy on the other side.