Joy and sorrow are not incompatible. Joy and sorrow may be present at the same time. Sometimes joy is to the front and sometimes sorrow. There can be a deep joy even in the midst of tribulation. Jesus admonished rejoicing even in persecution. In your sorrows hold also to your joy. Jesus was a man “acquainted with sorrow and grief”. He literally had the weight of the world on His shoulders. He found joy in His Father’s presence, in doing His Father’s will and living out His vocation.
At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.” Luke 10:21 (NIV)
