13 November JOHN 16

Trade your sadness for gladness

John 16:20b(MSG) You’ll be sad, very sad, but your sadness will develop into gladness.

Proverbs 14:10&13(ERV) When you are sad, no one else feels the pain; and when you are happy, no one else can really feel the joy. . . . Laughter might hide your sadness. But when the laughter is gone, the sadness remains.

Are you feeling sad? Or things are maybe not working out for you, maybe you feel stuck? Crying day and night? Don’t lose heart, for God has seen your tears and will deliver you out of all your troubling situations, and you will weep no more.

John 16:20b(NLT) You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy.

Psalm 30:11(NLT) You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy.

He hasn’t forgotten you but rather, He collects your tears in a bottle. Not one drop of tear will be wasted. In the Bible, it is stated very clearly, in Psalm 56:8-9(NLT) You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help. This I know: God is on my side!

Isaiah 61:3(NLT) To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory.

There is a divine exchange when we worship God. When we put on our garments of praise, we drive out the spirit of heaviness! He gives us beauty for ashes, hope for despair, and ‘the oil of joy’ for the spirit of mourning. We receive ‘the oil of joy’ or ‘the anointing’ to destroy yokes of sadness and heaviness through worship.

Through all our hardships and loss, the only safe place to run, is to God — believing the truth in His Word, that He cares, He’s with us. Our struggles, worries, and sorrows will not have the final say – God alone will turn our pain into gladness. His joy is our strength to keep pressing through, and His Spirit will bring refreshing to our souls.

Nehemiah 8:10(NLT) And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!”

Joy chases away depression - John 16:22(NLT) So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy.

John 16:33(NLT) I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Joy helps you receive from God - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18(NIV) Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Joy keeps you healthy - Proverbs 17:22(ESV) A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Today, trade your sadness for gladness.