There it is: that dull, heavy sensation, like a giant thud just happened to your insides. Your organs feel heavy, like they weigh three times as much as they did just moments ago. You had a to-do list. . .but now you don’t seem to have the energy it takes to get it done. Listless. Lifeless. Sighing. Nothing to do but mentally check into your room at the local hotel in Sadville.

It doesn’t take long to get there at all. You know the way by heart. In fact, you don’t even pay attention to the signs along the way leading up to it. You’re just. . .suddenly there.

Sure, the beds are lumpy and the towels are damp. The Kleenex is scratchy and no one at the front desk really cares you’re there—but you stay, just for a little while.

You might even send your friends a postcard—“Wish You Were Here”—because you want to draw them into your sad little world so they can relate to you. The thought is kind of comforting until you realize they can’t fix it, that thing that caused you to be here.

The Bible says Jesus was a man of sorrows. I often contemplate that when I, myself, am in Sadville. I know my reasons for feeling sad. What were His? What did He do when He was sad? Did He feel lonely during His sadness, like no one understood?

“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
—Psalm 34:17-20

I like that. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Sounds like He really, truly gets it, doesn’t it? I mean, if Jesus can be sad and filled with sorrow, perhaps we can give ourselves permission to experience our sadness, knowing our heavenly Father will save us from it. I don’t mean precluding us from actual sadness, because, after all, we have a lot to be sad about—we’ve failed at something. . .that relationship is broken. . .our lives are a mess . . .our world is a mess, and we are all trying to survive it with our Christianity intact.

I believe this means the Lord does not want us to actually live in Sadville. Not permanently. We are not to buy real estate there. No buying condos or homes (the foundations are weak and the roofs leak). No taking up residence. No overstaying our welcome.

He will remove us from that place of sorrow and grief, because He does not want us to be there.

“When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’ Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, ‘Young man, I say to you, arise.’ So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother.
—Luke 7:13-15

Jesus saw her before she saw Him. Jesus stepped into her world before she took a step towards Him. He invaded her grief without her asking. He was moved by her sorrow. He restored. He resurrected.

Reflect on that while sitting in Sadville. Know your visit is temporary. Choose to believe that Jesus will invade your sadness, restore you, and resurrect your spirit. Let Him prove Himself to you yet again that He has a better plan for you than this.

Then, drive home.

Christine Dupre is a professional, award-winning graphic designer with over 25 years of experience in designing website graphics, book covers, promotional materials, CDs, conference booklets, business cards, flyers, promotional sheets, and more! She resides in Massachusetts and is a proud member of NACWE. You can contact Christine at cedupre@msn.com or at 413-822-8771.