Silence and stillness before God (2 minutes)
Scripture reading
Scripture reading:
John 16:20

You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.

Devotional

Jesus acknowledged that His disciples would grieve at His death. But He promised their grief would turn to joy. This is the pattern of the Christian story: sorrow gives way to gladness, mourning to dancing, tears to laughter.

In grief, joy may feel distant, but it is coming. The Spirit brings foretastes of it even now, and in the end, it will be complete. God does not erase grief, He transforms it.

Question to consider

Where do you need to hold on to Jesus’ promise that grief will one day turn to joy?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, meet me in my grief. Remind me that sorrow is not forever, and fill me with the hope of joy restored.

Conclude with silence (2 minutes)