“Sorrow and Joy”

This week, we have seen horrific images from the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria that have claimed over 20,000 lives. In times like this we can become overwhelmed with sadness and grief. Many of you are dealing with your own “earthquakes” in life or circumstances that have rocked your world and have left you with a deep sense of uncertainty and pain. What do we do with sorrow and grief? Jesus makes it clear to us that in this world we will experience suffering and loss. Grief is the appropriate response, but it is not the final destination. Jesus leads us into the depths of our sorrow to truly experience the hurt and then to hold on to the hope of joy. Christ declares that He has overcome the world and that there is a time when our grief will turn to joy! We can access that joy even now by placing the full weight of our trust on Him.

This Sunday, we’ll continue going to the “Next Level” as we mature in Christ by leaning into Jesus’ challenging teaching on sorrow and joy found in John 16:16-33.