Some of us experience this every day and especially this time of year. Even though it’s been years since some close to me passed away, I still think of them every day. We’ve had many in our church go on in the last few years and it is hard on us. We miss them still. We’ve been through a lot together. We put our faith in the Lord but that doesn’t mean it’s not hard. Then I read in the Bible that sorrow is better than laughter. Why is sorrow better?
Ecclesiastes 7: 1A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth. 2 It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. 3 Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
Think of things hard to endure or master. The hardest thing for me to master is my tongue. I understand this challenge. I understand the challenge of temptation. The world is out to seduce. False doctrines are prevalent. Politics is practically a religion. As Christians we have the same rights and freedoms as other Americans even though it doesn’t seem so. The constitution may be struck down before it’s all over but the Word of God never will.
Losing loved ones from this life is doubly hard. Knowing I can’t see them or hear their voices in this life is still hurtful. I miss just going to talk to them. If you’ve not gone through this sorrow yet, those of us who have can help when the time comes.
Verse 3 says Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. How can our hearts be better by our sorrow? Grief is good for us even if it’s hard. How can it be better than laughter? You experience the Lord in a different way. His comfort is there. There is a loneliness and emptiness. I can’t help but think of Jesus on the cross when he cried “My God. My God.” Why hast thou forsaken me?” Even in our suffering God fills us. Our faith kicks in.
We have no choice about this. We don’t know who will go next but we have to trust God to take care of it. It will be by God’s grace that we make it. When we leave this world we’ll lay aside all sorrow like a garment. Life won’t be the same without our loved ones but it doesn’t mean we can’t have a good life. We can with the Lord’s help. When our hearts break with sorrow, the heart may not be made trouble free, but it is made better because we see the Lord better. We sorrow as those who have hope.
We’ll reunite with our loved ones in the air and then meet Jesus. Paul said to comfort one another with these words. We can make it. Be there for each other and we’ll see our loved ones together. In the sorrow we have joy because Jesus died and arose the third day. Life is worth living because Jesus lives and because he lives we know our loved ones in the Lord live as well.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 