The Transformation of Pain to Joy

John 16:12–22
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Jesus explained how the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. The Spirit’s great work is that of illumination, bringing God’s truth to all men (vv. 12-15). All truth is God’s truth. Man does not discover it; God reveals it as a gift. As we witness in this hostile world, the Holy Spirit takes the Word He has taught us and shares Jesus Christ with the lost. It is our job to witness; it is the Spirit’s job to convict. The Holy Spirit takes the Word of God and brings conviction to the hearts of men. Jesus promised them that He would go away very soon, but He also promised that they would see Him in “a little while” (v. 16). The disciples were confused by this statement “a little while” (vv. 17-19). Although there are differences of opinion as to what He meant, it seems that He was referring to His brief, forty-day ministry on earth between His resurrection and His ascension. It could have referred to the brief time He spent in the grave after His death on the cross.

Jesus explained that the disciples would weep at His death, but the world would rejoice thinking that they were finished with Christ (v. 20). However, the sorrow of the disciples would be turned to joy through the resurrection. He used the illustration of how pain in childbirth is followed by the joy of new life when a child is born (v. 21). The disciples were entering the process of pain, but the light of joy was just ahead. You may be very sad now, but later I will see you, and you will be so happy that no one will be able to change the way you feel (v.22). God brings joy to our lives, not by substitution, but by transformation. Most of us know what it is like to have an unhappy child with a broken toy. If a parent always buys a new toy each time the old one breaks, the child will grow up expecting every problem to be solved by substitution. We cannot mature emotionally or spiritually if someone is always replacing our broken toys.  Jesus did not say that the mother’s sorrow (pain) was replaced by joy, but that the sorrow was transformed into joy. The same baby that caused the pain can also bring much joy.

Application

I want the trials of my life to be transformed into joy. Just as an operation may be necessary and cause pain at the time, it will bring good health and joy later. It was not a joyful time when I had a gallbladder operation a few years ago but it has brought many years of joyful living since then.