You turned my wailing into dancing;

  you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.

  O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever.

Psalm 30: 11-12

Isn’t it strange and amazing how the greatest joy a person can have is the joy she experiences during rough times – in spite of rough times? Isn’t the best kind of feeling you could have the sense of joy and peace that comes along for no apparent reason, when the world had, for so long, been a dark place? Joy, with nothing in particular making you feel this way?

You haven’t fallen in love, haven’t inherited a bundle of money, haven’t had fabulous news from the doctor about your tests. Any of these would be cause for celebration. But what about the joy that comes for no reason at all?

Have you ever had occasions like this? At a time when you had nothing important going on in your head, you feel moved to saying a heart-felt “Thank you, God!” This, even when you’re not consciously thinking about who God is, or what He’s done, or what He’s given you. You’re praising God simply because you feel good and you’re happy. Simply to share with Him your gratitude, because He’s the one you most want to share this with. Isn’t He the first we should share such things with? Isn’t He the only one who could have given you such good feelings?

This joy came as a surprise gift from God. All the better because it came unexpectedly. It’s really the unexpected that is the most wonderful, isn’t it? Bright colour unexpectedly splashed over the insides of our heart.

That’s how God can look and feel when you’ve been far away for a while. When you’ve been in a dark place – a dark night of the soul. Never know when God’s presence will come and shine in your heart. You’ll never know when He will come and remind you what His love is like.