Sadness is unwanted, but often experienced. On the other hand, joy is often sought for, but not all experience it. Great thing is that in Christ, even the saddest moments can be filled with joy – always.
Christ Faced It, Too
If you're thinking that in Christ we will never ever encounter sad moments, then you're wrong.
Christ Himself encountered various moments that were truly saddening. He experienced betrayals left and right; rejections from those He loved, fed, healed, and cared for, and abandonment by His closest friends and allies. He was even forsaken by His very own Father. He died undeserving a criminal's death. Yet in all that He went through, He had immovable joy inside Him.
"We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne." (Hebrews 12:2 NLT)
Christ Could Bring That Joy to Us, Too
Friends, if Christ was able to overcome His sad experiences with His joy, we can do that with His help, too. Here are three ways our faith in Him can turn our sadness into joy.
1. Faith in Christ Assures Us of a Heavenly Home
In this world we are assured of problems, trials and sad moments. Our faith in Christ's saving work, however, assures us that someday we will go home to Him who loved us, made us, gave His life for us, and longs to be with us.
Consider what Jesus promised us in John 14:1-3:
"Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am."
2. Faith in Christ Assures Us of His Peace
This world sure has sad moments, but in Christ, we are promised peace for He has overcome all that man cannot. Believe His promise in John 14:27-28:
"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. You have heard Me say to you, 'I am going away and coming back to you.' If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, 'I am going to the Father,' for My Father is greater than I." (NKJV)
3. Faith in Christ Assures Us of His Abiding Presence and Comfort
As the most comforting promise ever, Christ said that if we love Him and obey Him, He and the Father will dwell in us. Knowing that He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world, we are assured of an abiding comfort that comes from God dwelling with and in us. Read what Jesus said in John 14:23:
"Jesus replied, 'All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.'"
