How Joy Helps Us Thrive in Painful Seasons - The Crosswalk Devotional - March 10
How Joy Helps Us Thrive in Painful Seasons
By Jennifer Slattery
Bible Reading:
“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.” - John 17:13
I’m struck by how many times Jesus talked about joy on the night before His death, a time of great grief and distress. If you’ve ever held a conversation with a dying loved one, you understand the depth and importance of “last words.” Neither of you want to talk about things such as the weather, minor annoyances, or your week’s agenda. In those final moments, most of us want to ensure that we left nothing unsaid. If we’re speaking with someone we feel responsible for, we might also worry about whether or not our loved one knows all they need to thrive in our absence.
Therefore, Jesus’ circumstances in John 13-17 add weight to His words. He wasn’t simply giving the disciples practical lessons on wise living. Instead, He was telling them truths they’d need to survive.
Let’s look at His joy-statements in context.
In John 15, He encouraged the disciples to remain relationally and spiritually connected with Him and equated the depth of His love for them to the love of the Father to Him. He then said, in verse 11, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (NIV).
They would experience not just joy, but “complete” or full joy, in the midst of persecution, how? Through their ongoing, soul-deep connection with Him and by remaining in, or receiving, His perfect and unfathomable love for them.
In the original Greek, the word the NIV Bible translates as “complete” has the connotation of something, or in this case, someone filled to capacity.
Then, in John 16:20-22, He said, in essence, “You’re going to grieve, but your sorrow won’t remain forever. Your pain will turn to a joy so profound it will make your intense hardships feel insignificant in comparison” (NIV).
I find it encouraging that He didn’t say, “Don’t feel sad about your suffering and loss. Keep your chin up, smiles on, and ‘hallelujahs’ flowing from your mouths.” Instead, He acknowledged they would hurt, but assured them a day would come when jubilant songs sprang spontaneously from their hearts.
In John 16:24, After promising direct access to the Father, He said, “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete,” (NIV). Or full to capacity.
Then we reach the verse with which this devotion began, spoken to His Father for the disciples’ benefit:
“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure,” filled to capacity, “of my joy within them.”
Here’s why I find this significant. People who study the brain tell us that joy increases our resiliency. This means, the more we experience joy, the better we’re able to handle the really hard stuff in our lives.
Notice also how Dr. Jim Wilder, the “Neuroscience Theologian” defines joy. He says it’s the relational connection that occurs when two people are glad to be together.
Can you see the intentionality behind Jesus’ words? He told the disciples that He loved them, the Father loved them, and that He, God the Father, and God the Holy Spirit would remain with them, in relational connection, forever. They would never face a hardship or crisis alone.
He also prayed that they would stay as deeply connected with one another as He and the Father were. And He said these things, why? That they might experience joy because, according to Nehemiah 8:10, the joy of the Lord gives us strength.
Intersecting Life & Faith:
Jesus understands our stress, anxiety, and pain. He doesn’t invalidate or condemn us for our emotions. To the contrary. Scripture assures us that He moves toward us with compassion. But neither does He leave us defenseless in this difficult and often frightening world. He provides numerous tools, like joy, to arm us for life’s most intense battles.
Our joy grows as we actively reflect upon and apply the truths He shared with His disciples the night before His death. We remain connected to Him by increasing our awareness of and resting in His presence, seeking and yielding to His will throughout the day, reminding ourselves of His promises, and believing and receiving His love.
We delight in our relationship with Him, knowing He delights in us as well.
Photo Credit: © Pexels/Andrea Piacquadio
Jennifer Slattery is a writer and speaker who co-hosts the Faith Over Fear podcast and, along with a team of 6, the Your Daily Bible Verse podcast. She’s addressed women’s groups, Bible studies, and taught at writers conferences across the nation. She’s the author of Building a Family and numerous other titles and maintains a devotional blog at JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLou
She’s passionate about helping people experience Christ’s freedom in all areas of their lives. Visit her online to learn more about her speaking or to book her for your next women’s event, and sign up for her free quarterly newsletter HERE and make sure to connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and GodTube.
Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at Crosswalk.com!
Related Resource: 3 Simple Steps to Manage Your Emotions
Are you tired of up-and-down feelings stealing your peace, sabotaging your relationships, and filling your mind with self-defeating thoughts? What if you had a proven emotional management tool to biblically respond to your feelings with compassion and clarity? Join us for today’s episode to discover three simple steps to manage emotions, reduce stress, improve decision-making, and grow closer to God. If you like what you hear, be sure to subscribe to The Love Offering on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
