Your Sorrow Will Turn to Joy

“Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.” - John 16:20

Have you ever lost something precious to you? Maybe a piece of jewelry handed to you by your grandmother or a family heirloom. Maybe you have lost something greater, like a loved one. Along with this loss came grief, pain, and sorrow.

I will never forget the day we said, "Goodbye" to our son before he left for Boot Camp. At first, I thought I handled it well. However, as soon as we started to drive home, the emotions consumed me.

I am almost certain there is video footage of a blonde-haired lady rummaging through the coffee creamers and crying hysterically while inside Buc-ee's. Fortunately, if you have ever fought your way through the sea of people at a Buc-ee's rest stop, then you know everybody is too busy to notice a crazy lady crying.

Grieving over our son leaving home taught me that when people lose something near and dear to their hearts, they begin to fear losing something (or someone) else. Jesus' disciples could relate!

In John chapter 16, Jesus had a tough conversation with His disciples while preparing their hearts for the fact that He would soon leave them as He made His way to the cross. In John 16:16, He said, "A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father.”

The disciples could not understand what Jesus was saying. As I write these words God laid on my heart, I wonder if they simply could not understand or if their hearts would not permit them to say goodbye to their dear friend and confidant.

Do you ever feel that the thought of losing someone or not wanting to let them go could be based on your need to be in control? For example, your child comes to you asking to leave home, and you feel uncertain because not all the details have been shared. You may have lost someone quickly in a tragic car accident, leaving your mind little time to process such a horrific event. Nobody asked you if your loved one could leave this earth before giving you the chance to say your goodbyes.

This world is filled with so much pain. Regardless of your gender, race, age, or socioeconomic status, grief can strike at any moment. My friend, there is hope and beauty CAN rise again.

Read these encouraging words Jesus spoke in John 16:20-22: “You will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come, but when her baby is born, she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child has been born into the world. 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.”

I challenge you this week to read John 16:16-33 to help you remember that no one can steal your joy.

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