It has been said that you can tell a lot about people if you look at what makes them laugh and what makes them cry. Often laughter and tears dwell together. But what about those who can't do either? Is that a sign of a spiritual problem?

    Jesus described the Pharisees as those who could neither dance or cry. This could be a simple description of the Pharisee stubbornness, or it could reveal a spiritual principle we need to recognize.

    We think if we had a pain free life we would be closer to God. Adam and Eve knew no pain, yet they felt God was holding out on them. It was when God came to them in their pain that they renewed fellowship.

    Jesus experienced this phenomenon. The Bible says, "for the joy that was set before him, Jesus endured the cross." What was that joy? It was the joy of saving you. Remember, sorrow and joy have the same Lord, and he is calling to you today.

    "Ye are not above the Master.
        Will you breathe a sweet refrain?

    Then His grace will be sufficient
        When your heart is pierced with pain."

            -Anonymous

    Renoir, the famous French painter, in his later years suffered badly from arthritis. On one occasion, his friend Matisse asked, "My friend, why do you keep on painting when you are in so much pain?" Renoir replied, "The pain passes, but the beauty remains."

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