But Your Grief Will Become Joy

Anyone who has lived out their faith for a while will tell you, life isn’t always sunshine and daisies. Just because you believe in Jesus and have chosen to follow Him doesn’t mean life becomes easier. The truth is we have trials just like everybody else and being a Christian doesn’t change that. Hard times fall on everyone at one point or another, it is simply a part of life. That being said, through the midst of hard times we can continue to have joy in our lives regardless of the trials life throws our way. Before His death, Jesus told His disciples,

“Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.”

John 16:20

There are going to be times in our life when the world gets the best of us, days where we won’t want to get out of bed, or moments when we succumb to the darkness. Life can really suck sometimes and it’s easy to get caught up in grief and hopelessness. It’s easy to mourn and weep over the problems that we face. There might be times where we feel alone in our misery while the world keeps chugging along around us with no regards to the pain we feel. But Jesus promises that even when we weep or mourn and grieve, that grief will become joy. 

So what exactly is joy? Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen explains that:

“Joy is of the heart, and it comes from a good conscience. Joy hears music on the inside even when discords are ringing outside. Pleasure depends on outward circumstances, for example, wealth, friends, and wine, and therefore it can be obliterated by the slightest toothache. Joy is independent of outward circumstances; it can be felt even in adversity and pain.”

Joy cannot be affected by our outward circumstances, it can be maintained even in times of trial because joy is given to us by the grace of God. I believe it was that same joy that Jesus spoke of that gave His Apostles the ability to build the Church and spread the Gospel even in times of persecution and death. It was joy that allowed Mother Teresa of Calcutta to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty and clothe the naked, even in the midst of personal desolation and suffering.  Joy is independent of our outward circumstances and can be found even in our darkest days. 

If you are struggling to find joy in your life right now, ask for the Lords assistance. Have faith that the Lord is with you in all of your struggles. For he tells us

“Do not fear: I am with you; do not be anxious: I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.” 

Isaiah 41:10

Find your Joy and share it with others,

Be the Light!