A Sneek Peek into this Sunday's Youth Service

While planning a youth service once a month I try to pick new songs that hopefully most people know. This Sunday I was looking over the list of songs and came to the song "Trading My Sorrows" by Darrell Evans. At the church we are currently in a sermon series called Spiritual Warfare. Though there are many places where there are spiritual warfare, I believe one part of that warfare is in our sorrows. Whether it be financial, family, church, or health burdens they are ever occuring, day to day, problems we face. How we react to them is where the spiritual warfare begins.

On first read the song seems to contain a "prosperity gospel" message, that if you truly put your faith in Christ, you'll never have any problems, sickness, pain, sorrow, or struggle. Although this "prosperity message" is gaining popularity, it doesn't stand the test of Scripture. The world hates followers of Jesus Christ (John 15:18) and will persecute them for keeping His Word (15:20). Jesus promised His disciples "In the world you have tribulation..." (John 16:33).

But Darrell Evans' song isn't denying the first part of John 16:33. It's reminding the Christian that our hope is in the second half of the verse. "Take heart. I have overcome the world." The point of Jesus' comment, and my understanding of "Trading My Sorrows," is about attitude. When we face sorrow, sickness, shame, or pain, we have a choice. We can live life "under the circumstances," and spend our time griping, complaining, and feeling sorry for ourselves, or we can focus our minds on the promise of John 16:33 that Jesus has overcome the world!

John 16:33
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

(if you want to get a head start for next Sunday here are the lyrics and website to check out the song)
Trading My Sorrows
Darrell Evans

I'm trading my sorrows,I'm trading my shame
I'm laying them down
For the joy of the Lord
I'm trading my sickness,
I'm trading my pain
I'm laying them down,
For the joy of the Lord

I'm pressed but not crushed,
Persecuted not abandoned
Struck down but not destroyed.
I am blessed beyond the curse
For his promise will endure,
That his joy is going to be my strength
Though my sorrows may last for the night,
His joy comes with the morning

put this website in your url-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KsfwvpcQhY