A Paradox

“I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart…” —Romans 9:2

Paul confessed he had a “continual sorrow” in his heart over the lost condition of his kinsmen according to the flesh.  Every soul conscious Christian feels the same way about lost family members.

But this “continual sorrow” is a paradox when you consider Paul’s exhortation to “rejoice evermore” (1 Thess. 5:16). Paul also wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord alway” (Phil. 4:4). Paul further stated this paradox— “As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing“  (2 Cor. 6:8-10). How can one have “continual sorrow” and “rejoice evermore” at the same time?

I believe the answer to this paradox is, the “sorrow” is in the heart and the “rejoicing” is shown outwardly on our countenance.  While you may wear a “happy face” outwardly, in your heart you are weeping for your lost loved ones.