Words from the Rock
Whenever a woman is in labor she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world. Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.
John 16:21–22 NASB
There’s nothing that Jesus doesn’t understand. Although he never had a baby, he perfectly describes how a mother feels after giving birth to a child. Labor, no matter how short it is (and it’s usually not), feels like it will never end. In fact, the actual birthing process is one of the most physically painful experiences a human can endure. Yet most mothers will tell you that as soon as the baby is safely delivered and nestled in her arms, she forgets all about the pain she just endured. It’s like her brain is temporarily wiped clean. Even when she does remember it later, it’s as if the memory has been softened or diminished somehow. Otherwise there would be a lot fewer children in this world.
Jesus uses the childbirth metaphor to describe the enormous suffering his disciples will experience when he’s temporarily removed from their world. Their grief will be excruciating—as painful as childbirth. But, he points out, it won’t last long. When they reunite with Jesus, all that suffering will be forgotten.
Being separated from Jesus is supposed to hurt. It’s God’s way of reminding you to stay connected. If you experience that kind of intense spiritual anguish, the kind that aches deep inside, you need to do everything you can to reconnect yourself to Jesus. Once that relationship is restored, all sense of pain will fade away—it will be replaced with real joy!
My Prayer
Dear God,
I don’t want anything to separate me from you. If something does, help me to recognize it and repair it quickly.
Amen.
Final Word
Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.
Psalm 126:5 NLT
Stone for the Journey
I find joy in Jesus.