Sorrow is not the end of the story. Too often I believe that the end of the event is in the sorrow caused or experienced. We lose a loved one, we experience a hardship, we recognize struggles in someone, we are placed in an event where there seems to be no winning, and yet, there is almost always more to come and more to experience.
“22So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.” — John 16:22 (ESV)
Jesus is speaking to the disciples here and letting them know that He will soon be leaving them, and then He will return. He is explaining that when He leaves, there will be a sense of despair that will feel as though it will not end. Then, when He returns, there will again be joy in their lives.
I believe the story here to be larger than just in the context of Jesus and the disciples. I will experience despair and then joy later as the event unfolds. I have to push through the despair, knowing that there is joy to be had later. When will later be, known only to God, but later will come. I have to know that sorrow is a part of the process and that God only wants what is ultimately best for me and not just what is best for me in the moment.
I, as man, have a desire for all things to be good all the time and dealing with adversity and despair are felt as the end point. The reality is that it is only a point and there is plenty that came before and there will be that which comes after. I have to deal with the present and let the future come with the expectation that God prevails.
“34Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” — Matthew 6:34 (ESV)
Today is where I have to work and tomorrow will come in due time. I have to know that the sorrow and despair of today are only temporary and likely will lead to joy in the end. I think of death of loved ones and know that in the moment, that day, things are sorrowful. And then there is the realization of joy for that which is “fully” experienced. Lori recently lost her grandfather and where we are sorrowful for losing him, he led a full 100 year life and is no longer dealing with the health problems and pain he was experiencing at the time. The day was tough, yet the tomorrow was joyous.
What are you dwelling on today? Are you hung up on the despair, adversity, or sorrow of the day? What if you look at the sorrow as the today and allow tomorrow to present the joy of the LORD?
Trevor's Thoughts 