Wailing into Dancing

(Original appeared June 7, 2016)

“You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.” Psalm 30:11‭-‬12

What could compel the author to change his tune from sadness to joy-filled praise? Let’s look at the words he uses to describe each emotion. First, sackcloth was used to signify someone’s deep mourning, gloom, and/or repentance. Many times, family members would wear sackcloth after the death of a loved one to indicate deep sorrow. It was often made of goathair, and was coarse and uncomfortable – adding to the person’s discontent and misery. Someone in terrible emotional agony would rip the sackcloth in two while wailing loudly and bitterly.

So imagine having this terrible garment lifted off the person in mourning, bringing him or her immediate relief. But then imagine it being replaced with … wait for it… actual joy! Not just another garment which would be more comfortable or fashionable; but pure joy itself!

So what is joy? It’s not just happiness in my opinion. I have spent quite a bit of time researching the difference between happiness and joy. I’ve heard lectures and read devotionals about the differences. To me, happiness is more akin to gladness and depends on something in particular happening. Happiness is an emotional response to that happening; an effect to a cause, so to speak.

Joy, however, is more akin to a lasting gift. It is a sense of fulfillment and contentment that is not easily erased even in the midst of bad things happening. While happiness is a “mood” that can be swayed immediately upon foul news, Joy allows you to take the ups and downs in stride, while you focus on something bigger. Joy is more mature than happiness. While happiness is a giggle, joy is the bright-eyed smile that lights up a room.

So, back to the passage above. Is it possible to experience joy without the typical earmarks of “happiness”? I think so, because my happiness is based on my perception of current events. But my joy is, in large part, a gift of grace. I do nothing in advance of receiving joy other than to let go of my preconceived notions of how this world ought to work, and instead allow God to work in my heart. And although there are times of unhappiness that Deb and I share, we are becoming clothed in consistent joy as we reflect on Christ’s love for us, and for Jacob.

PS: I’m not sure I’ll be dancing anytime soon. I’m “happy” to remain “joyfully” seated, thank you very much. – R