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By Mike Caton

John 16:22, “So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”

The time of the disciples’ grief is fast approaching. In fact, they are already upset and disturbed over the things that Jesus has been telling they. And they really don’t understand what he is saying. How much more disturbing will the reality be? But no matter how dark it might be now, or how much darker it gets in the future, there is coming a time when all of that will be put behind them. They will again be reunited with Jesus and they will rejoice.

We need to remember this in our lives as well. No matter how bad things get, and they can get very bad, but remember things can always get worse. That is not what you were expecting, is it? But it is a reality and one we need to be aware of. But regardless, there will be brighter days. Eventually things will turn around, eventually the sun will shine again, eventually God will make all things right. Remember, God never loses control! Even there in that upper room, with the death of his son imminent, God was in complete control. Things were still going according to his plan. And we need to remember that in our lives as well. God never loses control.

If we could somehow get a hold of that, remember that, keep that in our minds, our joy would never end or be taken away! We need to be able to see things from God’s perspective. We need to hold onto the fact, even if we don’t understand, that God has everything under control! And that will help us hold onto our joy, that nothing that happens is outside of God’s view or his plan.

Father, help me to hold onto your joy. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Mike Caton is the preacher at Mount Olive Church of Christ in Belhaven. He volunteers at the Ponzer Fire Department and works part time with Hyde County EMS. If you would like to receive daily devotions in your inbox, email mikecaton@centurylink.net.

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