Have you ever found yourself saying, ‘I’ll be happy when…’ – or ‘Life will be good as soon as…’ Well, from a very old and familiar story I gained some insight into this. Life doesn’t work that way.

Remember that last night of the Savior’s life? It was a wrenching emotional experience for the disciples. An already difficult night was made unbearable by the things He was telling them. To their shock and dismay, He announced that one of them would betray Him. The sacramental cup that followed was the token of a tearful farewell. The disciples “were aggrieved and wept over him.” (Mark 14:25 JST).

And then He assured them that all of them would be offended because of him that very night and would abandon Him. Peter was aghast; he denied he would ever do such a thing, and when he did, the Savior prophesied Peter’s denial. There were not good things He was saying!

Jesus continued and assured them He was going away. He wouldn’t leave them comfortless though. And then, in earnest as Gethsemane was only moments away, Jesus said to them, “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” (John 15:18). “…the time cometh,” he continued, “that whosoever killeth you will think that He doeth God service.” (John 16:2).

And then He said it again, “…ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.” (John 16:20).

And then finally He said, “Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and [ye] shall leave me alone...” (John 16:32).

Now, I’ve studied the Savior’s final words to His Apostles in this life. There’s a quality of earnestness about them, almost an urgency that pulls on the heartstrings. He desperately wanted them to understand what was ahead of them. The forthcoming days of their ministry were going to be very hard! Their faith would be tried nearly unto death. The people they were commanded to love would hate them, revile them, and finally kill them!

But how could this be? These were the Lord’s chosen servants. Of all people that should be respected, it should have been them. Of all people that life should have gone well for, it should have been them! And Jesus repeatedly warned them to be prepared.

Then, after telling them all these hard things that were going to happen, He said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).

There it is! It was as though Jesus was saying to them, ‘Your life is going to be hard; expect it, embrace it! – and find your joy and peace in the heat of trial; don’t wait for the end of it!’ Joy is found in the midst of the difficulty, not when it’s over!
You know, life is only as hard as we believe it is. If we’re looking for trouble, we’ll find it aplenty; if we’re looking for peace and joy, we’ll find it in Christ abundantly.