All Joy, No Stress: A 5-Day Devotional With Rhett WalkerSample

Ask for Joy

“So you also have sorrow now. But I will see you again. Your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy from you.

23 “In that day you will not ask me anything. Truly I tell you, anything you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. 24 Until now you have asked for nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.” – John 16:22-24

Jesus empathizes with your struggle to find joy in trials. And He wants you to know He can and will help you find joy—and keep it forever.

When Jesus was about to go to the cross, He knew it would be especially hard on His disciples who had been with Him every day for the past few years. In fact, He wholeheartedly acknowledged the sorrow they would feel, but promised their sadness would turn into joy. Amid sorrow and grief, He reminded them that He would return and bring with Him full and final joy. In the meantime, they only had to ask for what they needed.

Sometimes when we are experiencing pain, grief, or loss, we think joy is out of the question. We’re tempted to think God doesn’t care or won’t do anything about our problem. Because we don’t understand or truly believe who He is, we pull away from Him instead of leaning into Him. We rely on our own means of finding joy.

But Jesus is faithful to provide us everything we need—even in the seasons that hurt the most. Somehow, in God’s providence, our joy can still be made full. Even in this life, the Lord gives us glimpses of the fullness of joy that we will experience at His return.

If it was possible for the disciples—who would soon watch their teacher and friend be crucified on a cross—it is possible for us on this side of the resurrection. After all, the joy Christ provides isn’t a joy anyone or anything can take away from us. It is a joy that comes in knowing our future with Him is certain and secure. It isn’t a joy reserved only for eternity. Even now—right here in the uncertainty and the in-betweenness of life—He is faithful to fill us with joy when we ask.

Reflection

• Is joy something you would say you’re experiencing in life, even in times of sorrow? Why or why not?
• How should John 16:22-24 impact your prayer life? Have you ever considered joy as something you can or should ask for in prayer?
• Spend some time asking the Lord to provide what you need in the way He sees fit. Ask Him to fill you with joy, even where it seems impossible.