By this we should learn that God does not want people to be sad and that He hates sad thoughts and sayings, and doctrines which oppress us. He makes our hearts joyful. For He did not send His son to make us sad, but to make us glad. That is why the prophets and apostles and the Lord Christ Himself admonishes us and even commands us at all times to be joyful and of good cheer.—Commentary on the Prophet Jonah
• We are followers of Jesus, and Jesus himself wept. (John 11:35, Luke 19:41)
ReplyDelete• In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus said, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death." (Matt. 26:38)
• God inspired an entire book of the Bible that is called Lamentations.
• Many of the psalms contain laments. (Ps. 22, quoted by Jesus himself, expresses utter despair.)
That we are urged to "rejoice in the Lord always" (Phil. 4:4) is not a demand that we feel bliss in every moment. But it does tell us that God's everlasting mercy is a perpetual reason for rejoicing, even in difficult circumstances.
Some flavors of Christianity emphasize an expectation that because of one's relationship with God, one should feel "up" continuously. But those who preach that feelings like anger and sorrow and hopelessness are wrong according to God may be unhelpfully causing feelings of guilt to be added to the mix of someone who is already burdened with a great deal. It is far more helpful to listen long and well so as to aid the troubled in responding constructively and in faith to what they are feeling.