Joy Is Possible, But Don’t Take My Word For It

One of our favorite places to eat is the local Cracker Barrel. There’s something about meandering through the old country store while waiting for a table that is comforting and to some extent even joyful. We rarely buy anything while we browse, but still get a kick out of looking.

Joy Is Possible, But Don’t Take My Word For It. #hope #joy #WritingCommunity Share on X

That was then.

Since the beginning of the Coronavirus warnings, out of an abundance of caution, we’ve eaten every meal at home. We’ve done this for 84 straight days now. We haven’t picked up food at a drive-through, nor had it delivered. Funny thing is, we’re settling into our own “eat at home” challenge. I’m thinking 90 days is a good first goal.

Since May 22, businesses have been allowed to offer inside dining as long as they adhere to certain guidelines. I won’t detail them here, but they are restrictive.

During this same time, many cities throughout America are experiencing protests. Some peaceful, some not. The protests and in some instances, riots, stem from understandable outrage over the senseless killing of a black man by a Minneapolis Police Officer.

I don’t want to use this post to talk about the pros/cons or goods/bads of how people deal with either of these situations. I do want to recognize that either situation, on its own, would make any person uncomfortable. Having both at the same time probably raises the discomfort exponentially. On top of these stressors, many experience additional threats that would be catastrophic on their own, such as job loss, failed relationships, and illness.

It makes one wonder, is joy possible?

Here’s why I say yes.

Jesus knew His disciples would experience great sorrow when He left them. He was on the verge of fulfilling His Father’s plan, and what the Bible had prophesied, His death and resurrection. He had spent three years living with these men, pouring His life into them, teaching them and preparing them at a pace only He understood. He loved them and they loved him.

He explained how they’d feel in John 16.

“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.” (John 16:20-22)

Jesus had a way with words, didn’t He?

He has a way with more than words. He is God. He loves us, just as He loved those closest to Him while He was on earth. He didn’t tell them these words as a platitude. He gave them hope.

You may be experiencing great anxiety, pain, or even anger over events in your life. You may feel as if you have nowhere to turn, with no way to cope. You may turn in on yourself or lash out at the world. You may even go about your day pretending you don’t feel hopeless.

As a reader of my blog, I consider you a friend. As a friend, please know I can’t raise your level of hope. I can’t lift your spirits for more than a moment.

But Jesus can bring you joy, even in your deepest sorrow.

He knows your plight. Think about this. As more than a friend, He, as the creator of the world, loved you enough to die for you. I’m sure He loves you enough to take care of you. Just like a mom, who after a difficult delivery, soon experiences a joy exceeding the pain, your grief will turn to joy.

Matthew Henry explains the disciples’ situation this way. “They were sorrowful, and yet always rejoicing, had sorrowful lives and yet joyful hearts.”¹

A joyful heart in the middle of a sorrowful life is a mystery to me. I trust it is one of the miracles of the Holy Spirit. And, as Jesus reminded his disciples in verse 22, no one can take His joy away.

If you’re grieving, ask Jesus to give you a joyous heart.

If you’ve experienced joy in the midst of grief, feel free to share this post or send someone a note of our own. It may help them know joy is possible.

Today’s feature photo comes from a “photo-a-day” challenge I pursued several years ago. The photo inspires the topic. For me, the posts challenge my creativity, writing discipline, and dependence on God for His message. My prayer is that you find hope in God’s Word, and that you’ll share your hope with others.

¹https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/john/16.html