"When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world. So you also are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. On that day you will not question me about anything."
John 16:20-23

My son was born 26 years ago after 20 hours of painful labor. I remember only the joy of my first view of his beautiful blue eyes. The pain, great as it was, evaporated in the immense joy of life's emerging. Similarly, on my spiritual path, there are moments of deep pain, anguish and darkness, as false parts of me die so that something new and real can be born. I already know the joy of Christ's presence, laboring with and in me. He, too, is bearing me into life. Even in the pain, I'm already rejoicing.