Devotion: Holding back

"Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom." James 4:9

James would be one of the worst counselors in the world..don't you expect the bible to be filled with little phrases like "turn that frown upside down" "don't worry be happy, "laughter is the best medicine" (well that one kinda of is in the bible: Proverbs 17:22)?
But James' challenge for us is to grieve, mourn and wail. To cry out; to acknowledge the pain, disappointment and uncertainty that occurs in life.
For him, it's from that starting point that Jesus begins his rebuilding work. For Psalm 30:11 says "You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that might heart would sing to you and not be silent." It does not say I changed, that I did it; but that You. The You being God in Christ.
See our job is to live life real and raw with people. Genuine community in order that they may see the work of Christ who changes us.
What disappointments are you holding onto? What tears are you fighting to hold back? What secrets are you covering up? How might Jesus be wanting to transform you?