“Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and lament,
but the world will rejoice; you will grieve,
but your grief will be turned into joy.” (1)

You have to endure painful and lonely times in the world;
though dark clouds swallow the daylight as if light was vanquished,
you must keep your hearts from echoing the thunder and lightning.

I will see you again; until then
you ought to be patient when people scoff at you
because you follow truth instead of the world.

When the world says peace, you must endure pain.
When people say joy, you must overcome sadness.
You should wait and overcome all in this reversed world. (2)

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of truth,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you because of me. (3)

Until light is understood as the light from heaven,
Until truth is recognized as the truth from the creator,
Until the way of life is accepted as the way for God,
You must wait and stand up!
Your pain will be turned into joy
when I see you again that day!

Rev. Yong Sub Sim


The poem is based on John 16:20-22.

(1) John 16:20
(2) Luke 6:24-26
(3) Matthew 5:10-11

Photo by sweetlouise on Pixabay.