Joy in Sorrow

Joy is not the absence of sorrow. It is the transforming power in the inner man that enables him or her to mature into the image of Christ--the "Man of Sorrows" who Himself endured the cross through the inner strength of joy. Joy comes from looking into my future, to the hope of every believer--to my inheritance with the saints. When I pause, just for a moment, and think of all that He has given me in this life, and all that He has promised me in eternity, the present difficulties, no matter how severe, seem inconsequential. They are not worthy to even be compared. I am, by His grace, a joint-heir with Christ. Everything that is His--and how much is His?--though I could never earn any of it for a second, He has promised to enjoy with me for all eternity. Joy allows me to triumph in sorrow--to persevere, to develop "proven character" which rests in the promised hope, "and hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." 

"Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in my love." Reflect on that for just a moment . . . "As the Father has loved Me.'  I understand that I have lived with myself longer than many of you have lived with yourself, but I find that incomprehensible--to be so deeply loved. Me? "Amazing love, how can it be?"

"These things have I spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full."
Joy in the midst of sorrow is the evidence of His great love being poured into our hearts It is the evidence of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit Who has sealed us until the day of redemption--until the Hope becomes a reality--forever.