Joy

"Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you." ~John 16:22

This evening I wasn't quite sure where I was going to read, but I knew I wanted to read a few verses in the Bible because I knew I needed it. So I opened to where I had a slip of paper still in my Bible and read in John 16 where I had underlined that above verse.

The overhead title in my Bible for John 16:16-24 is "Sorrow Will Turn to Joy" I love the promise of verse 22. How that our hearts will rejoice and nobody shall take away that joy.

I don't know, but it just encouraged me so much. It reminded me that no matter what we face in this life we will in the end have joy. And joy forever. I think that no matter how big the pain or struggles may be that we are facing, the joy will be great and stronger. These struggles are just temporary whereas our joy will be everlasting. It is everlasting. I'm so thankful that the Lord gives us some of that joy even here on earth, so that His joy can be our strength daily. I thought how cool it is that though the Lord tells us we will have trouble in this life, He also tells us we will have joy forever if only we believe in Him.

So basically it just really encouraged me. I know there are crazy, crazy things happening in this world today, and it was a great reminder how we as disciples of Christ get to hold onto that promise, the promise of everlasting life and joy. I wonder how often we forget to hold onto that, I know I do. But I'm very thankful that the Lord is so patient despite my sin and blesses me by bringing to my memory how much I really need to hold onto that joy. He is good.

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33