Sorrow and Joy original painting

16" x 20" Acrylic on Canvas
White sides, wired and ready to hang. Varnished.

 

This painting was created in a different way than my typical paintings. I was looking through some reference photos I took of this bright cloud coming out of a darker cloud and felt impressed to paint it for someone who needed the message that they can expereince joy in the the midst of their sorrow. Joy is coming out of the pain. I added rain drops to decipt the sorrow and the joy rises right out of it. God is there in the midst of your pain. He sees you. Jesus said in John 16:22 "So with you; now is your time of grief but I will see you again and you will rejoice and no one will take away your joy."

 

Paul said in 2 Corninthians 6:10 that he was sorrowful yet always rejoicing. Joy is not happiness. When we experience greif we need something greater. The joy God can bring is deep and peaceful. It doesn't take the pain away but it allows you to grow through it and draw closer.  This painitng is a reminder that your pain will not last forever and God brings deep joy.