THE VALUE OF SORROW

Today's reading: Ecclesiastes 7-8

"It is better to spend your time at funerals than at festivals. For you are going to die, and you should think about it while there is time. Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us." Ecclesiastes 7:2-3 NLT

Happiness seldom allows us insight to realign our priorities.

Ease doesn't usually give us reason to pause and reconsider.

Laughter is not usually something that cleanses our soul.

Sorrow, grief and tears, however, tend to make impacts on us that we would never sign up for--but need in order to live lives refined in His image.

In sorrow we feel God nearer to us.

In sad times we lean more solidly on Him.

Through tears we have to intentionally fix our gaze on Him for focus and clarity.

So we should, in its proper order of emotions, appreciate sad times for what they can do for us.