Connecting Point: Hope in Sorrow

The great poet Dante, sometimes referred to as the “greatest poet and writer of the seventeenth century,” wrote, “There is no greater sorrow than to recall being happy when we grieve the deepest.” Uncertainties plague life, and he also said, “Sorrow you will know like kin.” In life, the pressure is overwhelming, just read a newspaper account of growing “suicide.” Borrowing the phrase from Forest Gump, “My momma says life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get,” my take is, I for one like chocolate but appreciate those companies that give a diagram of the various flavors. That way I know what to eat first.

So, if we don’t really know what to expect in life, we can expect joy and sorrow. It is Hope—the assurance that comes from a faithful God. I’m reminded of Jeremiah’s expressions of remorse and fear when life was rather bleak. Jerusalem was reeling from its sudden destruction. It is the case that Lamentations says God’s character is impeccable. Remember, we’ve read of an attitude shift halfway through this book of the Bible.

“I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for never fails his compassion, (my emphasis). They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him,’” (Lam. 3:19-24).

It’s often in the middle of suffering that we reflect on the very character of God, provided that our pride doesn’t interfere with who God really is. You see, God is our only source for hope. Just as Jeremiah recognized despite suffering and failure, a brighter light is discovered by being faithful. We too can experience real hope. Difficult circumstances don’t necessarily need to consume us because our hope is found in the one true God whose mercies are new every day.

If your sorrow has gripped your heart, like Dante, take a moment to reflect on God’s love. The pains of this life are many but there is true hope in sorrow. One never knows what tomorrow may bring; there is the possibility of bitter-sweet moments. Take it in stride and learn to trust God more. An assuring principle includes, God is always faithful even in the darkest moments of life. True, we need to return to Him. That was Jeremiah’s message for his day to a nation in turmoil. The same is true today, God has not forsaken us. We often forsake Him. There is no time like the present to discover hope.