Life is hard.
1 “I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. 3 And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. 4 But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.
- John 16:1-4
We’re supposed to “take heart.”
32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
- John 16:32-33
Jesus wants to give us joy.
16 “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.”
- John 16:16
18 So they were saying, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.” 19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice…
- John 16:18-22a
We can look back at the Resurrection - and we can look forward to the reunion.
22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice…
- John 16:22a
When God gives us joy, nothing can take it away.
In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
- John 16:32-33
…and no one will take your joy from you.
- John 16:22b