"Joy is not the absence of sadness. If it was, Jesus couldn't have had it on the cross."
Alongside the amount of benefits that technology has bestowed upon man, there is also a significant amount of havoc that it has the potential to wreak upon the mental state of us imperfect human beings. In terms of social media, the internet, and other superficial aspects of modern society, it is all too easy to succumb to the brainwashing of false expectations.
There is this standard of perfectionism that is placed upon society- one in which we fall short of- and therefore can break under the pressure that it presents. There are these filters, these perfectly orchestrated pictures that capture only the best moments in one's day. There are these fairytale couples, these idealistic images that taint our minds and make us feel as if that is the reality for everyone else.. but ourselves.
Sometimes I think of technology as a curse. How it ruins the mind, exalts the ego, lifts people up only to drop them down again into insecurity. There is this nagging to always perform, to always show the best version of oneself, to always feels joyful.
No. You see, there is this misconception that joy is cut and dry- that it is straightforward, and in its wake is the absence of hurt and sorrow and negativity. This is not so. Joy is not the absence of sadness, and never has been. Joy is present amidst the sadness. True joy is wrapped in a gift with hope. The two are inseparable. For the joy that was set before Him, Jesus endured the cross. Jesus suffered because He had hope that this suffering was for a reason. Jesus suffered because He knew that joy comes in the morning. Jesus suffered because even amidst the hardship, there is a greater foundation and goal for us Christians.
"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." -Romans 5: 3-5
Jesus was able to disregard the shame because He knew that there was a greater purpose behind His sacrifice. In the same way, we are able to glory in our sufferings, because we know that when we suffer in Christ, we are clay being shaped by the sculpter.
Your life does not have to be picture-perfect or solely joyful, but it can be joyful amongst the hardship because of the hope set before you. Every single smile on social media is a smile that has endured much, no matter what kind of image the internet depicts or the hurt that the filters mask. So, every time you feel as if you are the only one that is struggling, keep this verse in mind- "the same experiences of suffering are being experienced by your brothers and sisters throughout the world. [You do not suffer alone.]" -1 Peter 5:9
Everyone is going through something- some are just better at disguising it than others. But, you don't have to hide. There is no shame in vulnerability, as Jesus Himself perfectly demonstrated for us. Joy amidst... joy amidst.
"We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne." -Hebrews 12:2
Kommentare