Julian of Norwich and the Promise of Joy
Julian of Norwich and the Promise of Joy
In 1373, Christian mystic Julian of Norwich wrote what is believed to be the first book authored by a woman in the English language. One of her most profound reflections reads:
"Deeds are done that appear so evil to us, and people suffer—such terrible evils that it seems no good could ever come of them. We grieve and sorrow, unable to find peace in the blessed contemplation of God, and this is why: our reasoning powers are so blind, so humble, and so simple that we cannot comprehend the high, marvelous wisdom, might, and goodness of the Holy Trinity. And this is what He means when He says, ‘You shall see for yourself that all manner of things shall be well.’ It is as if He says, pay attention now, faithfully and confidently, and at the end of time, you will truly see it in the fullness of joy."
Joy Is Our Birthright
I remember the moment I first realized this truth: life is unfolding exactly as it should, and love, belonging, and the deep assurance that all shall be well are inherent to us.
Julian of Norwich acknowledges a reality we all face: “Deeds are done that appear so evil to us, and people suffer.” The hardships of life can pull us away from this truth, tempting us to react impulsively to people, circumstances, and struggles. Instead of trusting in the Holy Trinity—God, the Universe—and embracing life as it unfolds, we resist. “We grieve and sorrow, unable to find peace in the blessed contemplation of God.”
I’ve noticed in my own life a feeling of disconnect arising when I stray from the present moment. Even though I know my authentic self is rooted in God of my understanding, I can experience feeling trapped in my mind’s endless cycle of analyzing and overprocessing, driven by the ego. My ego spins stories, pulling from past regrets over experiences and circumstances I couldn’t control, or from imagined futures—worries about my aging husband, my grandkids’ schooling, or the never-ending responsibilities of homeownership. Somehow, it convinces me that I am inadequate in it all. It tells me that everything—past and future—needs fixing now. It keeps me on guard, searching for answers outside myself in all the wrong places.
But the truth is, life has always unfolded and will continue to unfold exactly as it is meant to.
As Julian reminds us: “Our reasoning powers are so blind, so humble, and so simple.”
When I live from ego instead of from my true self, I suffer the very evils Julian speaks of. But when I return to the present moment with movement, prayer, and meditation, I remind myself that I am loved. I feel connected again with my authentic self. This is where my intuition resides and where my connection with Spirit is strongest. In this space, I remember the marvelous wisdom, might, and goodness of God and the Universe—and that pure joy is my birthright.
As Julian assures us: “You shall see for yourself that all manner of things shall be well.”
This prayer does not suggest that suffering will only make sense after death. Rather, it encourages us to trust that clarity will come in time—if we remain present and faithful to Spirit:
"Pay attention to this now, faithfully and confidently, and at the end of time, you will truly see it in the fullness of joy."
Part One of Four: Being Present, The Ego’s Role, and A Wider Perspective
For me, understanding Julian of Norwich’s prayer reveals three essential truths
Being present
Recognizing the ego’s role
Embracing a wider perspective
Over the next several weeks, I will explore each of these lessons and how I have integrated them into my daily spiritual practice.
I regularly incorporate this prayer into meditation, and in times of trouble, I find both peace and comfort in Julian’s timeless words. I hope you can find the same peace in her words.