Yes, it is possible indeed for the Christian to be “sorrowful yet always rejoicing” at the same time. Not through trying to “manufacture” it in their own strength for that is impossible but in the strength of the Spirit of the indwelling Holy Spirit, who supplies Joy-{Gal 5:22}

  • The Greek word, “Sorrowful” used in 2 Cor 6:10 “Lupeo” is a verb and means “distress, to grieve to experience deep emotional pain {sadness}, severe sadness, is very intense and hence even used of the pain of childbirth {Genesis 3:16}”- {Greek lexicon}.

So this sorrow Paul writes of is intense grief, pain, deep emotional pain, and yet in the midst the ability to rejoice accompanies it. How can this be? It seems such a contradiction, an impossibility, an absurdity, and it is in the natural realm. By that I mean if left to ourselves, if we are on our own, “But God…” is in the scenario, LORD over the scenario, imparting the ability and reasons to find joy in Him! It is not natural but supernatural. it is the work of the Spirit of GOD IN THE INDIVIDUAL!

  • “REJOICE” xaírō (from the root xar-, “favorably disposed, leaning towards” and cognate with 5485 /xáris, “grace”) – properly, to delight in God’s grace (“rejoice”) – literally, to experience God’s grace (favor), be conscious (glad) for His grace.”–{Helps Word studies}. God is leaning toward you with Favor! Grace and Rejoice to share the same root word, “and therefore the same core {fundamental} meaning.”-{Helps Word- studies}
  • How wonderful, we experience God’s Grace and can delight in His favor.
  • Rejoicing in Him. The Object and giver of our ability to choose to rejoice in the truth about Him, His character, promises, will and ways which we find in His Word!
  • Rejoicing in that He has saved us.
  • Rejoicing in sins forgiven.
  • Rejoicing He never will walk out on us, reject us but is ever present and in an unbreakable love towards us.
  • Rejoicing that the gospel is going forth.
  • Rejoicing that our story does not end with suffering but in the presence of the Savior for all eternity.
  • Rejoicing in the LORD Jesus Christ; Such as that Jesus saves. Jesus sustains us, Jesus forgives us, and Jesus is our ADVOCATE with God. He is Our Friend and LORD and will present us faultless before the Throne with EXCEEDING GREAT JOY!-{Read Jude 24}
  • THINK on the TRUTH; TRUST the One Who is Truth and OBEY the Truth, by choosing to Delight in Who He is, who you are in Christ and His Grace for you amidst the pain, that you are not in the circumstance on your own for He is with you, for you and working all things including the very thing you are in and going through for good, as Romans 8:28 teaches!

God Bless,

Aidan.