WHATEVER SORROW YOU ARE FACING WILL TURN TO JOY

Acts 18:9-18
John 16:20-23

As I read the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, about how God freed Paul from antagonists and the gospel of John today, I think of my own life experiences and how the Lord continues to encourage us not to give up in our Christian calling. When we suffer grief, maybe the loss of a loved one or some other devastating change in our life, we may be in the depths of pain, but the rest of the world goes on, unknowing of what we have experienced.

As a woman who gives birth to a child, that pain and anguish can be horrible – at the moment; all by oneself. And then, as your newborn baby is placed in your arms moments later, you almost immediately forget the pain you had just experienced, because it is replaced with a joy that you never fathomed. 

Now, think of the day we may see Jesus face to face. This joy of Jesus’ presence is immeasurable compared to any other joy we may experience in our lifetime. All of our suffering, all of our heartache, all our painst – will all be replaced with the joy of His presence. We will no longer be alone; we will no longer doubt or question what the Father has in store for us. All of those things we consider the mysteries of our faith will no longer exist for us.

When all of that happens, we will know unending joy. As we wait to see our Jesus face to face, let’s continue to work on our trust in God. Ensure that your relationship with him is solid and steadfast. Always remember his words, I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from

Fr Joseph Osho