Hebrews 12:2 tells us this about Jesus: “Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross.” It’s hard to think about all the suffering Jesus experienced and see that as a joyful time. We know He experienced excruciating pain—a greater pain than any of us are likely to ever face. We call the remembrance of this event Good Friday, but in many ways, it probably felt like a pretty bad Friday when you really think about it.

And yet . . . there was joy set before Him. What does that mean? It means that the thing that saw Him through all the pain was the anticipation of the Resurrection. He could handle Friday because He knew Sunday was coming.

He could handle Friday because He knew Sunday was coming.

So, how can you and I find joy in the midst of the suffering in our lives? How can we respond with hope when it feels like life is crucifying us?

If you are hurting, you’re hurting. If you’re sad, you’re sad. If you’re depressed, you’re depressed. You can’t just climb down off the cross of your suffering. Sometimes we have to endure the hard things, the hard times and the hard circumstances. But, at the same time, we can hold out hope that though it may be Friday today . . . Sunday is coming. 

. . . Sunday is coming. 

Your pain is real, but so is your hope. And because of that hope, you can find joy even in your darkest moments. There is a resurrection on the horizon.

Check out more from Dr. Tony Evans @tonyevans.org

About The Author

Dr. Tony Evans

Dr. Tony Evans is one of the country’s most respected leaders in evangelical circles. As a pastor, teacher, author and speaker, he serves the body of Christ through his unique ability to communicate complex theological truths through simple, yet profound, illustrations. While addressing the practical issues of today, Dr. Evans is known as a relevant expositor. New and veteran pastors alike regard him as a pastor of pastors and a father in the faith.


At the heart of this vision is the use of church and school partnerships to effect spiritual and social change in communities. Dr. Evans’ church and school outreach philosophy has been attributed as a catalyst for former President George W. Bush’s Faith Based Initiative, which was his first formal act of office. Dr. Evans seeks to train churches, schools and volunteers in this philosophy, as well as in the functional practicalities, through the National Church Adopt-A-School Initiative which is a ministry underneath the umbrella of The Urban Alternative.


Dr. Evans serves as president of The Urban Alternative, a national ministry that seeks to restore hope and transform lives through the proclamation and the application of the Word of God. His daily radio broadcast, The Alternative with Dr. Tony Evans, can be heard on more than 850 radio outlets throughout the United States and in more than 80 countries.


Dr. Evans has written numerous books and booklets including his legacy work, Oneness Embraced, as well as his vision work, The Kingdom Agenda. Some of his most recent books includes, Kingdom Man, A Moment For Your Soul, Marriage Matters, and Victory in Spiritual Warfare.



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