We are now beginning a new series called, “Dealing With Our Emotions.” During this series, we will get to know ourselves better and learn how to make our emotions work for us and not against us.

We will cover subjects like: Sorrow, Insensitivity, Forgiveness, Joy, Thankfulness, Selfishness, Anger, Laziness, Trust, Worry, Humility, Pride, Vengeance, Discouragement, and The Treasures of Meekness.

This lesson will cover Sadness / Sorrow.

Causes of Sadness / Sorrow

There are many things that cause sadness or sorrow, and here are just a few:

• Death
• Disease
• Unsaved relatives / friends / coworkers
• Sin
• Foolish son or daughter
• Persecution
• Physical or mental abuse
• Loneliness
• Hardships of life
• Knowledge
• Betrayal
• Divorce or close friend turns away

Sorrow Can Work for You

When sorrow is trying to work FOR you;

• accept it
• learn from it
• and let it produce the right changes in you.

(2 Corinthians 7:10), “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted…”

Sorrow that comes from doing wrong is GOOD for you!! Godly sorrow keeps you in repentance and close to God. It keeps you anxious for His return when you will be a totally new person that will never fail God whom you love.

(Matthew 5:4), “Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.”

• Accept the sorrow. Remind yourself that this is a GOOD reaction you are experiencing because it is moving you emotionally in a right direction that is going to bring you to a much better and happy ending. This may seem strange, but it is very true, that without feeling the NEGATIVE effect of sorrow, you will totally avoid the POSITIVE results that will ultimately save you from further harm and devastation as we see in the following example;

(Hebrews 12:11), “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

• Learn from it. At times, sorrow is actually a form of instruction.  t teaches you in a gentle way, that what has produced this emotion, is not good for you and also not good for your relationship with God or others. By rejecting sorrow when it is trying to teach you, is none other than pride which will do your soul no good. By ACCEPTING it and LEARNING from it, you will become a much wiser person which will bring much better results.

(Proverbs 15:32), “He that refuses instruction despises his own soul: but he that hears reproof gets understanding.”

• Let it produce the right changes in you.  What joy!!!  What escape from future harm!!! What a much better way to live!!! What a continuous sweet fellowship with our Heavenly Father!!! Need we say any more. Yes…sorrow doesn’t “feel” that good. But accepting it, learning from it, and allowing it to CHANGE YOU FOR THE BETTER is wonderfully worth it.

(Hebrews 12:11b), “…nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

When Sorrow Tries to Work Against You

When sorrow works against you, there is only one thing to do; Turn it into JOY!

(Psalm 30:5), “… Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.”

Much sorrow that works against us, often comes our way by circumstances that are out of our control. Some examples are death, disease, lost loved one, rejection by your spouse, persecution, and betrayal. When this sorrow comes your way, there are only two things you could allow to happen; Continue to let that sorrow effect you in a NEGATIVE way, which really does not do you any good, or;

Turn your sorrow into JOY!

• Death of a saved loved one = rejoice because they are in heaven.

(1 Thessalonians 4:13-14), “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.”

• If stricken with some disease or thorn in the flesh, glory in your infirmity that the power of Christ may rest upon you, for when we are weak, then we are strong as we see in the life of the apostle Paul;

(2 Corinthians 12:7-10), “And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

• If persecuted for Christ’s sake, or for righteousness’ sake, BE GLAD and REJOICE!  You are in good company!

(Matthew 5:10-12), “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Maybe you are going through some circumstances in life that just are not going in the direction you would like it to go. Don’t let it get you down, and stay close to God in faithfulness and righteousness. Cast all of your cares upon the Lord Jesus Christ, but also fulfill all of your responsibilities. Then wait upon the Lord. If He changes the circumstances, be glad! If He chooses not to, still be glad and accept it happily knowing there is an important reason why God is allowing this moment in your life.

REMEMBER;

• You are not alone in your sorrow

(Psalm 34:10), “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.”

• Jesus wants you to cast all your care upon Him

(1 Peter 5:7), “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”

• Jesus heals the brokenhearted

(Psalm 147:3), “He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds.”

• All things work together for good to them that love God

(Romans 8:28), “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

One Beautiful Day, There Will Be No More Sorrow!!!

(Revelation 21:4), “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

(Isaiah 51:11), “So the ransomed of the Lord shall return, And come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness; Sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”