Grief Turned into Joy3 min read

As Easter approaches, joy can feel distant when the world seems gripped by grief. Families have lost homes and livelihoods to devastating floods and bushfires. Wars continue to rage, leaving heartbreak and destruction in their wake. In times of suffering, it can feel as though darkness is closing in. Where is hope in the midst of this?

Jesus’ words in John 16:20 offer an answer: Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn into joy. He spoke these words to His disciples on the eve of His crucifixion, knowing that their sorrow would be overwhelming. For three days, they would endure fear, uncertainty, and despair. But their grief would not be the end of the story. Like the pain of childbirth gives way to the joy of new life, their sorrow would turn to rejoicing—because Jesus would rise again. His resurrection would change everything.

I remember a patient I met on my last day as a hospital chaplain. He had been violently attacked—an unprovoked act of injustice that left him physically and emotionally wounded. As we talked, he recalled how Jesus, his Lord, had also suffered unjustly. This reflection brought him comfort. He realized he was not alone—Christ understood his suffering and stood with him in it.

This is the hope of Easter. Jesus, who suffered, also triumphed. He conquered death so that one day, all our grief will be turned into joy. Until that day, we stand with those who are hurting, offering the comfort of Christ’s presence. This Easter, as we witness suffering in our world, in our communities, and in our own lives, we hold fast to His promise: I am making all things new.

In response, we pray, Come, Lord Jesus, come.