Joy That Follows the Tears
04/19/2025
“Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.”
— John 16:20 (NIV)
Tears are something we all know well. Whether they fall in moments of loss, loneliness, disappointment, or fear, grief is a universal language of the heart. In today’s verse, Jesus speaks these words on the eve of His crucifixion, preparing His disciples for the heartbreak they would soon endure. He tells them plainly: “You will weep and mourn while the world rejoices.” What a hard truth to accept. They would feel the deep sting of loss while others seemed to carry on unaffected, even celebrating.
But Jesus doesn’t stop there. He offers a promise wrapped in hope: “Your grief will turn to joy.”
The path to resurrection always passes through the cross. Sorrow, for the believer, is never the final chapter. Jesus knew that though the disciples would be shattered by His death, their despair would transform into overwhelming joy when they encountered the risen Savior. And the same is true for us.
Consider a mother in labor, a metaphor Jesus uses just a few verses later. The pain is intense. It’s all-consuming. But when the child is born, joy floods in, and the pain is eclipsed by the life now held in her arms. That’s the kind of transformation Jesus promises: not a substitution of sorrow for joy, but a transformation of it.
Grief is real. It’s raw. And Jesus never dismisses it. But He does promise that what seems final isn’t. In Christ, sorrow is temporary; joy is eternal. This doesn’t mean we won’t cry, but it means that even our tears are held by the One who knows how to turn mourning into dancing.
So if you find yourself in a season where it feels like the world rejoices while you weep, hold on. Joy is coming. It might not come in the way you expect, but in the hands of Jesus, no sorrow is wasted, and no grave is permanent.
Here are a few things you can do today to help your tears turn into joy.
Acknowledge your grief.
Write down what you’re mourning. Be honest with God. He can handle your sorrow.
Look for resurrection moments. Ask God to show you where He’s bringing life out of what feels like loss.
Reach out to someone in mourning.
Be a voice of comfort and hope for someone else grieving today.
Speak this truth aloud: “My grief will turn to joy.” Let it settle into your heart. Let it shape your hope. Refuse to let sorrow have the final word, because Jesus already wrote a better ending.
Father, thank You for being honest with me about the pain I’ll face in this life. Thank You even more for the promise that my sorrow won’t last forever. Help me hold on in the hard moments. Let my heart be anchored in the hope that You are the God who turns mourning into joy. Bring resurrection power into every part of my story. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
“Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.”
— John 16:20 (NIV)
Tears are something we all know well. Whether they fall in moments of loss, loneliness, disappointment, or fear, grief is a universal language of the heart. In today’s verse, Jesus speaks these words on the eve of His crucifixion, preparing His disciples for the heartbreak they would soon endure. He tells them plainly: “You will weep and mourn while the world rejoices.” What a hard truth to accept. They would feel the deep sting of loss while others seemed to carry on unaffected, even celebrating.
But Jesus doesn’t stop there. He offers a promise wrapped in hope: “Your grief will turn to joy.”
The path to resurrection always passes through the cross. Sorrow, for the believer, is never the final chapter. Jesus knew that though the disciples would be shattered by His death, their despair would transform into overwhelming joy when they encountered the risen Savior. And the same is true for us.
Consider a mother in labor, a metaphor Jesus uses just a few verses later. The pain is intense. It’s all-consuming. But when the child is born, joy floods in, and the pain is eclipsed by the life now held in her arms. That’s the kind of transformation Jesus promises: not a substitution of sorrow for joy, but a transformation of it.
Grief is real. It’s raw. And Jesus never dismisses it. But He does promise that what seems final isn’t. In Christ, sorrow is temporary; joy is eternal. This doesn’t mean we won’t cry, but it means that even our tears are held by the One who knows how to turn mourning into dancing.
So if you find yourself in a season where it feels like the world rejoices while you weep, hold on. Joy is coming. It might not come in the way you expect, but in the hands of Jesus, no sorrow is wasted, and no grave is permanent.
Here are a few things you can do today to help your tears turn into joy.
Acknowledge your grief.
Write down what you’re mourning. Be honest with God. He can handle your sorrow.
Look for resurrection moments. Ask God to show you where He’s bringing life out of what feels like loss.
Reach out to someone in mourning.
Be a voice of comfort and hope for someone else grieving today.
Speak this truth aloud: “My grief will turn to joy.” Let it settle into your heart. Let it shape your hope. Refuse to let sorrow have the final word, because Jesus already wrote a better ending.
Father, thank You for being honest with me about the pain I’ll face in this life. Thank You even more for the promise that my sorrow won’t last forever. Help me hold on in the hard moments. Let my heart be anchored in the hope that You are the God who turns mourning into joy. Bring resurrection power into every part of my story. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
Recent
Archive
2025
January
Embracing the New ThingBe TransformedPleasing God, Not PeopleThe Power of Repentance and BaptismThe Power of Forgiveness and LoveLiving in the LightSharing the Good NewsRecognizing and Worshiping the Son of ManStand Firm, Unmovable, AboundingThe Power of TogethernessResting in God’s RhythmThe Greatness of GodHeld by His HandLoving Beyond LimitsSowing RighteousnessThe Danger of Self-RelianceHeld by His HandProclaiming His Glory to AllHonoring One Another In LoveHidden TreasureTrusting God’s PlansThe Treasure of the KingdomStay Alert and Be PreparedGuarding Against GreedA House DividedYou Are the Light of the WorldEars to HearAll For The OneThe Beginning of WisdomUnashamed of the Gospel
February
Drawing Near with ConfidenceDaily Bread and Daily TrustEvery Good and Perfect GiftA Call to BlessingWalking by the SpiritStrength in the Lord’s RewardThe Power of Your WordsLiving in the Grace of GodOvercoming Evil with GoodPerfect Peace in an Imperfect WorldFrom Death to LifeOvercoming Evil with GoodResting in God’s WorkA Friend Who Loves at All TimesThe Lord Delights Over YouGo Into All the WorldImitating What Is GoodStrength in WeaknessBe Still and KnowTake Heart in Troubled TimesGuarded by God’s PeacePursuing PeacePeace That Cannot Be ShakenLiving Out the Law of LoveBlessing the Poor, Honoring the LordSinging of God’s Strength and LoveWorthy, Worthy, WorthyA Vision of Heaven’s Multitude
March
Go and Make DisciplesBe Strong and CourageousChoosing the Path of LifeUnchanging in a Changing WorldRedeemed by GraceWalking in Step with the SpiritPutting Faith into PracticeGo and Tell the Good NewsDwelling in the Shelter of the Most HighBehold, the Lamb of GodTo Live is Christ, To Die is GainSwallowed by GraceFor Such a Time as ThisSeeking Wisdom from GodBe MercifulA Heart That Seeks GodExtending Mercy to the DoubtfulThe Word Was GodThe Knock at Your Heart’s DoorThe Sacrifice That Pleases GodSharpening Souls TogetherMade for RestA Way OutApproved and UnashamedAll InClothed with CompassionLove That CoversRoots That Never Run DryRemain in MeThe Great ExchangeGod at Work Within You
No Comments