Will Weep

Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices.  You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. ~ John 16:20

Young and old non-believers rejoiced when Jesus was crucified thinking they had finally put to death this radical man who was disturbing the religious and political leaders of the time, but Jesus had told his disciples that even though his death would bring them great sorrow, their grief would turn to joy.  In deep sorrow we struggle to understand how anything can be good again.  We wade through the thick mire and murky weight of grief weighing us down in a broken world, but if you are a follower of Jesus, there is always hope.  Under great grief is the potential for tremendous growth.  Cling to Jesus.  Jesus never promised that we wouldn’t experience sorrow, grief, or hardships, but He did promise to walk through those times with us.  Jesus himself experienced grief and horrible pain while on earth, but He also experienced joy that He knew only came from His father.  Battles in this world are just that - battles of unbelievers and worldly desires, but we can turn from the battles of the world and rejoice in what we know is at the end of this life for us.  By basing and anchoring my joy to the foundation of Jesus’ death and resurrection, I can have a joy that will carry me through heart ache and sorrow.  Asking, seeking, and following Jesus through every circumstance can bring me peace.  Never doubt that God doesn’t see your pain and sorrow.  He desperately wants you to press into Him and trust.  Amid great turmoil, we must remember that this world is not our home and our joy will be made full and complete when we are in heaven, at home, with Jesus.  But in the meantime, we have the Holy Spirit to comfort us, guide us and give us peace that passes all understanding.  Lean into Him.  Let us mourn, weep, and wade through difficult times with Jesus knowing that joy can be ours again if we keep our gaze on the eternal reality that this is not our home and we are not alone. ~ Amen