“It’s Gonna Be Okay”

Life can be hard, at times very hard. But you know what, “It’s gonna be okay”. With the Lord at our side, it’s gonna be okay….all will be well with our souls” Wipe those tears away because our Lord will have the last word… and that word will be joy and peace and happiness and no more tears and suffering. It’s what we are longing for deep within our heart.

So knowing that……. how should we act, how should we live, what kind of face should we show our brothers and sisters, and show our friends, and show the world? Should we be downcast? No,no, no…. we should have a heart filled with joy that overflows to those around us. Listen to St. Paul, “ We want you to know brothers and sisters, of the grace of God that has been given to the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their profound poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.”(2Cor. 8:1-9) Wow, they suffered severe affliction and yet their joy and generosity overflowed. Their response to tough times was overflowing joy and generosity.

May that be our response to affliction which may be severe (i.e. sorrow & disappointment, suffering & death, trials & tribulation…).  May we respond in overflowing joy and generosity. We can respond that way because Jesus is still Lord. Jesus has still won the victory over sin and death and Satan. Jesus is still getting our great welcome ready for us in heaven. 

You can do it. You can be joyful and generous in the midst of affliction. The great St. John Chrysostom reminds us that  “however much we are stretched by our trials, by so much, do our consolations increase….do not give yourself over to the tyranny of despair, but conquer the storm with reason. You can do it, for the surging sea is not stronger than your ability to master it. Therefore, in reflecting on these things, scatter the cloud of despondency. Consider this: that the pleasant and sorrowful things of this present life are altogether passing away. If the gate is narrow and the way is hemmed in, still it is a way…. meditating on these things most beloved of God, throw off this heavy burden of despondency.”  

So beloved of God, it’s gonna be okay…. you can do it. Put on that happy face. Lift your gaze into the heavens and see the Lord. All will be well. Our savior is a great savior and he loves us. And that is very good news.