Making Sadness Sing

Expect God to supply you with the strength to transform everything that comes to you, making it contribute to the central purposes for which you live. “Expect God to supply you with strength.” That is the secret.

In the Christian life, we get what we expect. You likely have heard the story of the woman who, having heard a sermon on the text, “If anyone says to this mountain ‘Be lifted up,'” decided to try out her faith on a mountain near her home. Prior to going to sleep, she looked out of her window and said to the mountain, “Be lifted up.” In the morning, as soon as she awoke, she looked out, saw that the mountain was still there, and said woefully, “Just as I expected.” Yes, in the Christian life, we get what we expect.

Notice the remainder of the phrase from this line of advice: “… strength to transform everything that comes …” This is what Jesus did. As the Gospel writer recorded, “Then He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and began to pray, ‘Father, if You are willing, take this cup away from Me—nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.’ Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him” (Lk 22:41-43). Here, God’s answer was not to take away the cup but to supply the strength to turn that bitter cup into a cup of salvation, which He would put to the thirsty lips of humanity. In the midst of your trials, don’t whine to be released. Ask rather for the strength to make every sadness sing.

Further Study

Isa 40; 41:10; 2Co 12:9

What is promised to those who wait on the Lord?

What was Paul’s testimony?