Big Idea Of This Series: This four-week series begins with a premise rooted in 1 Thessalonians 5:14–22, which instructs us to rejoice, pray, and be thankful in every circumstance. That is a challenging command! Can we really rejoice always? Look around. Life is full of messy and difficult situations, over many of which we have little control. This series examines how to find strength in the Lord, practice gratitude, embrace lament, and find support in our community to endure whatever life throws at us with a joyful heart. John 16:16-20 NLT “In a little while you won’t see me anymore. But a little while after that, you will see me again.”Some of the disciples asked each other, “What does he mean when he says, ‘In a little while you won’t see me, but then you will see me,’ and ‘I am going to the Father’?And what does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand.”Jesus realized they wanted to ask him about it, so he said, “Are you asking yourselves what I meant? I said in a little while you won’t see me, but a little while after that you will see me again.I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy. God can turn grief to joy. John 16:21 NLT It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world. God never wastes a hurt. God wants to use your pain. John 16:22 NLT So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy. No one can take your joy and peace away. John 16:23-33 NLT At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name.You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.“I have spoken of these matters in figures of speech, but soon I will stop speaking figuratively and will tell you plainly all about the Father.Then you will ask in my name. I’m not saying I will ask the Father on your behalffor the Father himself loves you dearly because you love me and believe that I came from God.Yes, I came from the Father into the world, and now I will leave the world and return to the Father.”Then his disciples said, “At last you are speaking plainly and not figuratively.Now we understand that you know everything, and there’s no need to question you. From this we believe that you came from God.”Jesus asked, “Do you finally believe?But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me.I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” Jesus overcame for us.