Meandering Monday - Sorrow’s Benefits - Martin Wiles

Welcome to Meandering Monday, where we take a trip back to an earlier post and enjoy it again. 

Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us. Ecclesiastes 7:3 NLT

Guilt had consumed her. Reluctantly, she confessed her unfaithfulness to her husband. He, in turn, had to deal with sorrow and the accompanying anger.

A parent lay dying on the hospital table. The doctors had done all they could. The family decided to remove life support, but knowing their loved one had slipped into a better eternity didn’t completely wipe away their present grief.

The trooper stood at the door and said, “I’m sorry to inform you that your daughter was killed…”

An employer was forced to do what he dearly despised—make cutbacks. Unfortunately, your position was eliminated.

The wisest man who ever lived said sorrow is better than laughter because it refines. Funny, I’ve never thought about it in that light. For me, it’s something to avoid. I’d rather smile than frown, laugh than cry, and praise than complain. Refine? How’s that possible?

Sorrow can be a master teacher. Times of sorrow keep things in perspective. Tragedies, sicknesses, and disappointments remind us of what’s most important. Along with sorrow, usually comes grief. Accompanying grief are tears. While not enjoyable, grieving brings with it a cleansing process. When dealt with properly and promptly, our souls are cleansed and strengthened.

Life is a mixture of sorrow and happiness. Sin is the culprit behind sorrowful experiences, but in heaven, things and people who cause grief won’t be present. Now, however, we must deal with sorrow.

Experiencing times of sorrow keeps us dependent on God to guide us through these aching times. Situations that bring sadness also remind us we’re not invincible. We can learn from the painful experiences and use the lessons in the future to serve others in God’s name. Most likely, we’ll encounter someone who is experiencing something similar to what we have.

Are you using what you learn from sorrowful experiences to help others?

Prayer: God of love and power, help us not to waste our sorrowful experiences. Rather, show us how to use them to serve others.

Tweetable: Are you sharing with others what you learned from sorrow?

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