The healing power of joy

You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy
(John 16:20, New King James Version) 

Each year, do you feel yourself reaching the point when it feels as though winter has really outstayed its welcome? I do! The darkness of the winter months seems to last an eternity, feeling trapped almost in a Narnian spell. Awaking each day to darkness, the sounds of drizzle on the window pane and knowing it’s really not wise to leave the house without several layers, hat, gloves and a waterproof!
 
Yet every year, just in time, there comes the morning when hope is reborn and life finds its new beginnings. We watch and see the hope of the resurrection being played out through all creation. The bare branches of the blossom tree outside my window burst into song. The birds begin to rejoice, lifting our spirits with their dawn chorus, then the early awakenings of the thirsty bumblebees and butterflies dipping and diving through the lavenders.
  
Like tulip bulbs in the darkness of their beds, we are waiting for it, like the darkness Jesus’ disciples were waiting in, not really knowing even what they were waiting for, just in darkness. Darkness at the death of their Lord, their captain, their friend.
 
But here in this darkness, we find a beautiful invitation from Jesus to come to Him in the dark moments of our lives, and find joy. Joy alone can be our healer and through the gift of the Holy Spirit, Christ's power in us, we can have joy in the darkest of moments. By turning our souls to rise toward Him in worship and adoration. Bringing Him everything, every part of us to Him in prayer, and watching expectantly for the sunrise of the resurrection.
 
Christ, the hope of glory is alive in us (Colossians 1:27). That same resurrecting power flows through our veins, and by the power of the Holy Spirit we can have ‘love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness’ (Galatians 5:22) whatever our outer circumstances may be. We can ‘rejoice in hope’ (Romans 12:12) because in His presence we can find ‘fullness of joy’ (Psalm 16:11).
 
Frances J Roberts beautifully writes in his book, Come Away My Beloved: 

The rarest blooms are enhanced by the coldness of winter. The snow plays her part in producing spring’s pageant. But when the blossoms break through, we do not then turn back to thoughts of winter, but instead, we look ahead to the full joys of the coming summer.

So as we once again begin to move out of the Easter season, let's hold onto the joy of the resurrection, trading all our sorrows for joy in Him.