Some songs take writers months to compose, others just happen. The song, “Trading My Sorrows”, was not written, it just happened. It happened in the middle of a worship service. Darrell Evans was leading the congregation through a time of prayer. The band was playing softly behind as Darrell prayed. People were coming forward and kneeling. They were figuratively laying things from their lives on the altar. It was a very tender moment. Darrell began to think about his own life. What would he place on the altar? He pictured himself kneeling at the foot of the cross. Darrell thought of how often he had failed. He thought about the shame, the sorrow and the pain in his own life. He thought, “Man, I’d like to trade those things in.” He began singing the words he was thinking. “I’m trading my sorrows. I’m trading my shame. I’m laying them down for the joy of the Lord.” He started out singing these words soft and slow but as the words continued to flow he began to play faster and with more excitement. The tender moment became a moment of celebration. People started lifting their hands in worship and surrender as Darrell started sing, “Yes Lord, Yes Lord, Yes Yes Lord” as a response to God. The song was born.
Later that week he went to Scripture to complete the song. He came across II Corinthians 4:8-9, “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” Then from Psalm 5, “Weeping may endure for a night, 
But joy comes in the morning.” Darrell says, “Joy isn’t tested when things are great. Joy and strength are tested when things are difficult. Where are you going to run when things get hard and you don’t understand? I’m going to run to you, God. I don’t get it, but I’m going to trade this in for joy and just know that walking with You is more than enough to carry me through.”

What will you place at the cross. What would you like to “Trade in”? Today is the day to deal with God. He will take your burden and give you joy!