The only way through is down

through accident or illness, in the disappointment of our hopes. Just as day does not exist without night, nor life without death, joy cannot exist apart from sorrow. There is pain in life as well as pleasure, but we can accept the pain as long as we are not stuck in it. We can accept loss if we know we are not condemned to grieve continually. We c

We are tempted by nearly every current of culture to form our lives so that there is no time for grief, but only the dim hum of consumption, dulling our agony—but, with it, our joy, wonder, and longing. The Psalms call us back into the dramatic depths of reality.