I think it is also necessary to send Epaphroditus to you. He is my brother, coworker, and fellow soldier; and he is your representative who serves my needs. He misses you all, and he was upset because you heard he was sick. In fact, he was so sick that he nearly died. But God had mercy on him—and not just on him but also on me, because his death would have caused me great sorrow. Therefore, I am sending him immediately so that when you see him again you can be glad and I won’t worry. So welcome him in the Lord with great joy and show great respect for people like him. He risked his life and almost died for the work of Christ, and he did this to make up for the help you couldn’t give me. So then, my brothers and sisters, be glad in the Lord. It’s no trouble for me to repeat the same things to you because they will help keep you on track. (Philippians 2:25—3:1, CEB)
Paul shows sorrow over losing a fellow workers in the Gospel.
We can be joyful and yet be filled with sorrow.
Be glad in the Lord even when things may not be going your way because God is always with us. God is always working in and through all things to make a way for love to be made known and seen and felt in the world.
Your sorrow will be a moment in time, but the joy of the Lord will be forever.
Loving People. Loving God.
aSacredRebel 