By Debbie
When I hear the words “Good grief,” I immediately think of the beloved comic strip Peanuts.
If you know the Peanuts gang, you probably remember how often that phrase was used—especially in connection with one particular character: Charlie Brown.
“Good grief, Charlie Brown!”
Charlie Brown was the main character, known for being meek, nervous, and lacking confidence. He couldn’t fly a kite, win a baseball game, or kick a football—just to name a few of his most memorable failures.
I always felt sorry for Charlie Brown. I found myself wanting to help him succeed, to see him overcome his disappointments and constant grief—which, in my opinion, never seemed very good at all.
To be honest, Peanuts was never one of my favorite comic strips. It often felt like “the great American unsuccess story,” even though it has been described as one of the greatest American success stories of all time.
As I reflected on that, I realized something: Jesus understands that desire to help those who are grieving. He walked closely with people whose hearts were heavy—and He spoke directly to their pain.
In fact, Jesus once told His own disciples that their grief would actually be good grief—even though they couldn’t yet understand how.
Grief That Turns to Joy
In John 16, Jesus prepares His disciples for His departure. They are confused, anxious, and soon-to-be brokenhearted. Jesus doesn’t deny their coming pain. Instead, He tells them the truth:
“You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.” (John 16:20)
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Jesus was very intentional. More than once He said, “I tell you the truth.”
He wanted His disciples to believe Him.
Notice what Jesus did not say.
He didn’t say they wouldn’t grieve.
He didn’t promise a pain-free life.
But He did promise gain from their grief.
One of the best definitions of joy I’ve ever heard is this:
Joy is knowing you are going to receive something good from God—even if you don’t know what it is—because you know God is good.
Joy, then, is not just a feeling. It’s a knowing.
Jesus wanted His disciples to know that His leaving would ultimately be good for them. Their joy would be complete—not because He stayed, but because He went to the Father.
He illustrated this with childbirth. A woman experiences pain in labor, but once the child is born, the anguish gives way to joy. If the baby stayed in the womb forever, the mother would never experience the fullness of that joy.
In the same way, the disciples loved having Jesus physically with them. But after He ascended, Scripture testifies to the deep joy they experienced—because they could now pray in His name and receive what they asked for.
From Charlie Brown to You
Too bad Charlie Brown didn’t know the value of praying in Jesus’ name. Perhaps then his grief would have turned to joy as well.
Charlie Brown always seemed down and out.
What about you?
Are you grieving something in your life right now?
Have you learned the value of praying in Jesus’ name?
Have you learned that your grief truly can be turned into joy?
Jesus does not want you to grieve forever. He wants something good to come from your grief.
You may not know what that good is yet—but Jesus does.
One of the first things we often lose in grief is peace. And Jesus wants to give you peace.
How?
By trusting that what He said to His disciples is just as true for you today.
“You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.”
Will you believe Him?
Will you ask Him to turn your grief into joy?
Will you invite Him to show you the good He is bringing from this painful place?
Lucy Van Pelt often called Charlie Brown “Charlie Brownish,” seeing him as hopeless despite her attempts to counsel him. Perhaps the real issue wasn’t Charlie Brown—but the counsel he was receiving.
When we are grieving, the last thing we need is unwise counsel.
When we turn to Jesus and ask for His counsel, we can trust that our grief will not be wasted.
Good grief—what are we waiting for?
Let’s ask, so we will receive… joy.
Take heart.
Jesus has overcome the world.
⸻
Prayer
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for promising that my grief will turn to joy. I admit that I am grieving losses in my life right now. I don’t want to seek unwise counsel—I want Yours.
Please show me how to find joy even in this painful season. I want my grief to be good grief, not wasted or meaningless.
Give me Your peace. Help me move toward acceptance and see the good You are bringing, even when it feels impossible.
If I am in denial, help me face the truth.
If I am angry, help me release it.
If I am bargaining, help me trust You instead.
If I am in the darkness of depression, shine Your loving light and lift me up.
I trust You to bring me through this and turn my grief into joy.
In Your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.
