Two women were the first to view the empty grave. Upon seeing that Jesus was no longer in the grave, they responded in a most interesting way.
“The women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy” (Matthew 28:8).
Did you catch that? They were awash in two competing emotions – fear and joy.
I’ve been there. When I had to come clean about my addiction, I was “afraid, yet filled with joy.” When I lost my pastorate, I was “afraid, yet filled with joy.” When Beth heard that I would have to resign from my church, leaving us with no income, no more secrets, and a battered reputation, she was “afraid, yet filled with joy.”
Author Lynn H. Pryor explains, “Joy and fear are both biblical responses to God, and for both to be properly viewed and practiced, they must be seen together.”
Recovery Step: Are you walking through a period of both fear and joy? That’s okay. Invite Jesus to join you for the journey.
