Only God can satisfactorily change grief to joy. Only He can transport us from the groveling depths of heartache to the dizzying heights of "too good to be true". Sometimes the trip seems agonizingly slow. But often the speed will take your breath away.
But as we let Him pry our fingers off ("Jesus said to her, 'Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.'" John 20:17), we are freed to receive His next gift. And it is likely accompanied by joy that lasts:"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."
In either case our destination is secure if we stick with Him because He promised: "you will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy". John 16:2-22 So I'm thinking it would be wise to stop hoping that we will "get back to normal". We are on a Joy Trip.
In this part of John, Jesus is speaking particularly of the advantage of His departure so that the Holy Spirit can come. So often a leaving is accompanied by a grieving.
But as we let Him pry our fingers off ("Jesus said to her, 'Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.'" John 20:17), we are freed to receive His next gift. And it is likely accompanied by joy that lasts:"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."
Lord, help us to relax grief-clenched fists. May we let go in anticipation of knowing You and receiving your next gracious gift.
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