Devotion:
Read John 16:19-33.
There is a really good technique for coping with stress that has us ask ourselves, “What is the worst thing that could happen in this situation? Struggling with stress after having made a critical mistake on our job, for example, we might respond that the worst thing that could happen would be getting fired. And then what would happen? We would look for another job. We have knowledge and skills, and we would certainly find a new job. It might even be a better job or one with less stress. The idea is not to minimize the issue causing the stress, but rather to see that we could deal with even the worst possible consequences, so we move on and do not let the stress overcome us.
Jesus is teaching his apostles and us that life will have difficulties, problems, and grief; but there is peace and joy in our relationship with the Father. In a beautiful analogy, Jesus says our present grief is like a woman enduring the pain of childbirth but forgetting the pain as she experiences the joy of her newborn baby. Jesus is not minimizing our present struggles, in fact, he emphasizes them but promises us peace in him. It is faith in this promise that lets a terminally ill believer say, “I will be just fine,” knowing a peace and joy in Christ that will continue in heaven.
Personal Worship:
Almighty God, your Son teaches us not to worry about clothes or food or material things. And in today’s passage, he promises us the peace and joy we can know in you alone. Forgive me when I worry and fret over things in life. Help me to lean on you and to feel the peace and joy you offer. Thank you for loving me. Amen.
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