From Grief to Joy

Analea Friesen – Women’s Pastor

John 16:19-22

I can relate to Mary this Christmas, because I am anticipating the birth of my second child late in December. I know her aches, her fatigue, and even the fearful anticipation of the unknown. I can recall the incredible trial of labor, the desperation, fear, and pain, but also the incredible wonder and joy of seeing my baby for the first time. When I think about birth, I can get overwhelmed at the trial that is to come and dread the time of anguish. But when I focus on the joy – the anticipation of meeting this baby, then I know I will be able to persevere through the struggle.

In a similar way, Jesus’ disciples were about to undergo a time of deep grief, pain, and sorrow and Jesus comforts them in John 16:19-22 with the assurance of joy to come: “Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? Very truly I tell you, 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 is 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.”

This Christmas we can rejoice despite our circumstances, even in times of mourning, grief, and anguish, because Jesus has come. He provided a way to salvation and NO ONE can take away that joy. One day He’ll come back and our grief will truly be forgotten!

Father, we praise you for turning our grief into joy and even though we face times of great anguish, we know that it will not last forever.

We confess that we tend to allow the present pains and struggles of our circumstances to overwhelm us and we allow them to take away our joy.

Help us this season to know what TRUE joy is; not a false sense of temporary happiness, but a depth of rejoicing in you. Don’t let our joy be taken away.