When Everything Sad Comes Untrue

New Year 2023 | Happy New Year | Random Thoughts

Image credit: geralt on Pixabay.com

Happy New Year 2023, or Is It?

Many people are feeling that 2023 won’t be a happy year for them. They feel quite sad about the next 365 days, especially after a difficult 2022:

• Job loss

• Death of loved ones

• Chronic illnesses in their families

• War drums beating not only in the Ukraine-Russia conflict but in many countries

• Economy sliding into a global depression

• Finances in households so tight many have to choose between buying food and paying for where they live, and they go hungry

• Elections that were obviously tampered with; laws broken

• Crime and drug trafficking increasing and affecting them personally

• And, more.

People are saying that evil seems to be rapidly increasing, more than in times past. And, that thought makes them sad for they see no way to stop it.

So, What’s My Point?

Why am I writing about sadness after my joy-filled Advent series? Because after the holidays, many people suffer from “let-down syndrome”, and they feel sad returning to ordinary routines after their celebrations. On top of this syndrome, add people’s valid concerns over personal and world events. I had to address what I’m seeing and hearing.

Humanity is sad right now. So was I, and I can’t ignore what’s going on.

A few days ago, when I woke up on December 26th, I argued with a few random “let-down syndrome” thoughts that tempted me. Thoughts that said,

“Well, Christmas is over, so it’s back to the same old stuff: finding new freelance work in a declining economy, updating the spreadsheets of slowly decreasing account balances, researching treatments for minor health ailments, feeling concerned for loved ones who are very ill, and praying earnestly for those who are still far from Christ.”

As I lay in bed on the 26th with these thoughts, I watched the sun rise and a wondrous phrase came to me:

“Bring the glory and joy of Christ’s birth into your after-holiday days and into your new year. Make it a daily discipline.”

I Have a Choice

The birth of Jesus Christ, His first coming, wasn’t all glorious angelic choirs and adoring shepherds. Sadness enveloped this treasured event and the first couple of years of His life:

• Mary and Joseph had to leave their home, family, and friends and be among strangers in Bethlehem

• The magi had to sneak away from King Herod after they worshiped the new King

• King Herod, in a jealous rage, ordered the murder of every boy aged two years and younger to try and kill off the new, promised King

Luke 2:10-11 (ESV)
10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Good news.

Of great joy.

I have a choice, and that choice is to live daily in God’s joy-filled truth that:

Jesus has rescued and redeemed me from the adversary and from death; I now belong to Him and He’s given me His eternal life.

I have another choice, the choice to envelope the sadness in personal and world events in the joy-filled victory of Jesus’ second coming:

Jesus will come again and establish His eternal kingdom in which I’ll be with Him forever; I’ll no longer know sin, evil, nor suffering

An Example of Choice

As I choose daily to live in His great joy, the Holy Spirit partners with me in my choices; I’m not alone in this effort. One of my favorite practices involves grocery shopping. While driving to the store, where I see many sad faces due to rising food prices, I ask Jesus to help me minister to those around me, and to pick people for me to talk with while I shop. His joy fills me while I walk toward the door, and once inside He provides opportunities to touch people’s lives, even if it’s just a warm smile as they rush by. (They do pause, and then smile back, and I watch their demeanor change.)

I’m choosing to live in His victory while I watch my community’s economy and people’s personal finances (and ours) slide into the gutter. This choice I make, to choose His joy, has opened doors for casual conversations with strangers, and at least one affirmative reply when I asked, “May I pray for you today?”.

God Will Make Everything Sad Untrue

After Christmas, I often read J. R. R. Tolkein’s “The Hobbit” followed by the LOTR trilogy. I recently read an insightful Substack post by Maxwell Thomas on the theme of everything sad will be made untrue. [ Read ] I enjoyed how the author brought in the words of Samwise Gamgee, Frodo’s gardener and best friend, to point to the Advent joy and glory that’s been promised to us now and in the future.

Spoiler alert: The wise wizard Gandalf is presumed dead, and yet he returns to the Fellowship very much alive.

“But Sam lay back, and stared with open mouth, and for a moment, between bewilderment and great joy, he could not answer. At last he gasped: ‘Gandalf! I thought you were dead! But then I thought I was dead myself. Is everything sad going to come untrue?”

Yes, Sam, in Christ Jesus, all the sad things are going to come untrue for the redeemed.

Today.

Tomorrow.

In the near and distant future.

I wrote a few words in a Comment on Maxwell’s post:

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“This morning, I wrestled (Ephesians 6) with the sadness in today's world, and the sadness in the lives of Christians I hold dear.

As the coffee brewed, our Good Shepherd gently reminded me that I have a choice with my thoughts.

I thought about the spring and summer vegetables that will soon go into the compost pile. My garden will look brown and bare after months of flourishing green. However, instead of feeling sad, I'll order new seeds this month, and look forward to the watering and nurturing that I'll do next spring.

I then chose to focus on Our Lord's current glory in the heavenly realms that will one day be fully revealed to all. In His mercy, then I'll see Him face-to-face, as will my brothers and sisters in the faith who are tearfully wrestling with heavy burdens, with everything sad.

On that glorious day, everything sad will come untrue. For that I rejoice, and I'm grateful for your reminder that I read today.”

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Revelation 19:11-16 (ESV)
11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

In this world, Jesus told us, we will have hard times (tribulations), but He said to have peace (take heart). Why? For He has overcome the world (see John 16:33). One day, I will feel an overwhelming joy when I watch my King cast my enemy, the adversary, away forever. No more evil. No more death.

Until then, I hang onto that hope while growing older each new year and struggling to navigate the “craziness” that’s increasing around us.

Sam Gamgee, the answer to your question is a victorious “Yes!”

Happy New Year 2023, dear readers!

Maranatha, come (again), Lord Jesus!

Soli Deo Gloria!

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