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Joy in a Weary World: Holding Fast to Christ in Seasons of Sorrow
By Dustin Mace — Christ Our Light and Hope: Reflections for Advent
“I’m clinically depressed,” she said.
One of my family members—someone who has followed Christ for decades—spoke these words to me one Christmas several years ago. Her admission surprised me. She was always cheerful, always positive, always looking for the good in everything and everyone. I had never once seen her sad or anxious.
“I’ve been putting on a show,” she continued. “I always thought it was sinful for Christians to be depressed. I never felt like I could let my true feelings be known.”
Her struggle is not uncommon. Many Christians feel pressure to maintain an appearance of joy, even when their hearts are heavy. As a pastor, I frequently remind our congregation that it is okay to struggle and unnecessary to wear a mask before God’s people. Yet I continually see believers suffering quietly, often in isolation. I see the same tendency in my own heart.
The Christmas season often intensifies this tension. We know Christians are meant to be marked by joy. And culturally, Christmas is portrayed as a season overflowing with joy. Yet for many, joy feels elusive. The season designed to remind us of Christ’s joy can instead highlight our lack of it, leading to guilt, shame, and further silence.
Could it be that part of the problem is our misunderstanding of biblical joy? In Advent, as we reflect on the coming of Christ—our true Light—we need a realistic, biblical view of joy, and a clear path for cultivating it.
1. Adjust Your Expectations
Scripture is filled with promises of joy. Paul wrote that the kingdom of God is characterized by “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). Jesus described the kingdom as a treasure found “in his joy” (Matthew 13:44). The birth narratives in Luke resound with joy—“good news of great joy” (Luke 2:10), and shepherds returning “glorifying and praising God” (Luke 2:20).
In one sense, joy is the Christian’s birthright (John 15:11). Yet if we expect the fullness of that joy now, we will inevitably be disappointed.
We live between the times. Jesus inaugurated the kingdom in His first coming, yet the fullness awaits His return. Until then, the world remains marked by suffering, sin, and the curse. Complete, unbroken joy is a future blessing.
This means our present joy will always be mingled with sorrow.
“Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing.”
—2 Corinthians 6:8–10
All Christians know this tension. We are citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20), yet still sons and daughters of Adam (Genesis 3:19). We possess real joy, but it is not yet complete.
To pursue joy faithfully, we must adjust our expectations. Joy now is real—yet not perfect. Joy now shines—yet not without shadows.
2. Suit Up for Battle
Realistic expectations do not mean joy is out of reach. Scripture presents joy not as passive or automatic, but as part of a daily spiritual battle.
In Galatians 5, Paul describes a conflict between the desires of the flesh and the desires of the Spirit. The Spirit produces fruit—love, joy, peace, and more (vv. 22–23)—but the works of the flesh choke that fruit (vv. 19–21).
This means joy requires active resistance to the flesh and active yielding to the Spirit.
“Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
—Galatians 5:16–17
Our hearts were made to serve one master. When we indulge the flesh, we quench the Spirit’s work. But when we, by the Spirit, “put to death the deeds of the body” (Romans 8:13), we clear space for the Spirit’s fruit to flourish.
Joy is not found by seeking joy itself. Joy is found by seeking Christ, who is our joy. The Spirit continually turns our gaze back to Him—His person, His work, His promises.
To experience joy, we must not only adjust our expectations but also engage in the daily battle to walk by the Spirit.
3. Look Up in Hope, Not Down in Shame
Suffering Christian, lift your eyes.
Your Savior’s love is so deep that He took on human flesh—real humanity, real sorrow, real suffering. He bore the wrath of God in your place so that your suffering would never have the final word.
For the joy set before Him, Christ endured the cross (Hebrews 12:2). That same joy—His joy—is now offered to you.
This means:
- Your suffering does not disqualify you from Christ.
- Your sorrow does not make you a second-class Christian.
- Your weakness is not a source of shame before the One who came for the weak.
Jesus never turns away a struggling believer who comes to Him.
And not only can we look up to Christ—we can look around to His people. Knowing that perfect joy awaits the new creation frees us to be honest now. We can admit that even our best days hold sorrow, and our hardest days may overwhelm us.
The church should be a place where masks come off, where burdens are shared, and where Christ’s people help one another look to the Light of the world.
For more from our latest series please visit: Christ Our Light and Hope: Reflections for Advent
