A verse of Scripture that I particularly like is from Habakkuk 3:17-19

"Though the fig-tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,

though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,

though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,

yet I will rejoice in the Lord,

I will be joyful in God my Saviour.

The Sovereign Lord is my strength."

Talk about a dreadful set of circumstances!  In those days, such disasters would have spelled no hope, and yet Habakkuk is determined to be joyful, knowing that the Lord, who is Sovereign, is his strength. Don't you think that is wonderful? 

None of us are good at rejoicing in the bad.  Most of us have a problem with the sovereignity of God when bad things happen.  Mostly we choose to whine and grumble! 

I remember hearing a sermon telling me that if I was a Christian I should be happy all the time.  I don't agree!  But I should be joyful in God.  When the crops fail (we lose our income), or someone we love gets ill or dies we aren't going to be 'happy'.  Well, I'm not!  But in these things we can experience God's love and grace in our lives in a way that is impossible in the good times.

In reflecting on how Christians might deal with grief, I've realised that over the years Godly people have blessed me with outstanding examples of how to be joyful in the midst of the worst.  People who've let God's love shine through them powerfully.  Bad things happen to everyone.  We have hope and so can radiate God's peace in the midst of trials.  I pray I may be able to to always show God's love and grace and manage to rejoice in the Lord too.