Pain... then Joy!

John 16:22-24 says

"So with you: now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no-one will take away your joy. In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatvever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete."

In this passage Jesus is explaining to His disciples how 'after a little while' they won't see Him, but then 'after a little while' they will see Him. He admits that this may be difficult for them to understand, but that it will only be a transitional period - much like a woman's pregnancy before giving birth. They have grown together as an unit, but there will be a time of pain - the birth, if you like - which will separate them, albeit briefly, before being reunited in joy (v.22). He compounds this joy by saying it will be complete (v.24b) and that, from that time on, God (His Father and ours) will give them (and us) whatever is asked for in Jesus' name.

Jesus is setting a theme here - that troubles are only temporary. John 16:33, which is the last significant recorded statement Jesus makes to His disciples pre-crucifixion/resurrection, says that we will have troubles... BUT He has overcome the world!