In what ways does the Bible acknowledge the reality of sadness?

1 Samuel 1:1-18There was a man named Elkanah who lived in Ramah in the region of Zuph in the hill country of Ephraim. He was the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, of Ephraim. Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah did not. Each year Elkanah would travel to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of Heaven’s Armies at the Tabernacle. . . . On the days Elkanah presented his sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to Peninnah and each of her children. And though he loved Hannah, he would give her only one choice portion because the Lord had given her no children. So Peninnah would taunt Hannah and make fun of her because the Lord had kept her from having children. Year after year it was the same . . .“Why are you crying, Hannah?” Elkanah would ask. “Why aren’t you eating? Why be downhearted just because you have no children? You have me—isn’t that better than having ten sons?” Once after a sacrificial meal at Shiloh, Hannah got up and went to pray.Eli the priest was sitting at his customary place beside the entrance of the Tabernacle. Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord. And she made this vow: “O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the Lord, his hair will never be cut.” As she was praying to the Lord, Eli watched her. Seeing her lips moving but hearing no sound, he thought she had been drinking. “Must you come here drunk?” he demanded. “Throw away your wine!” “Oh no, sir!” she replied. “I haven’t been drinking wine or anything stronger. But I am very discouraged, and I was pouring out my heart to the Lord. Don’t think I am a wicked woman! For I have been praying out of great anguish and sorrow.” “In that case,” Eli said, “go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him.” “Oh, thank you, sir!” she exclaimed. Then she went back and began to eat again, and she was no longer sad.

A sad heart doesn’t respond well to insensitive humor like Elkanah’s or accusations like Eli’s. Once Eli turned Hannah’s attention to the God who could answer her prayers, her sadness evaporated.

Nehemiah 2:1-3Early the following spring, in the month of Nisan, during the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ reign, I was serving the king his wine. I had never before appeared sad in his presence. So the king asked me, “Why are you looking so sad? You don’t look sick to me. You must be deeply troubled.” Then I was terrified, but I replied, “Long live the king! How can I not be sad? For the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.”

It is a reflection of the trusting nature of their relationship that the king noticed Nehemiah’s sadness and expressed concern. Nehemiah’s answer illustrates the kinds of experiences that can and do cause deep sadness: a great loss, the pain of others, frustration over injustice or lack of answers. In this case, Nehemiah’s sadness opened the door for an amazing, God-ordained, series of miracles.

2 Samuel 19:1-2Word soon reached Joab that the king was weeping and mourning for Absalom. As all the people heard of the king’s deep grief for his son, the joy of that day’s victory was turned into deep sadness.

2 Chronicles 35:24-25So they lifted Josiah out of his chariot and placed him in another chariot. Then they brought him back to Jerusalem, where he died. He was buried there in the royal cemetery. And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for him. The prophet Jeremiah composed funeral songs for Josiah, and to this day choirs still sing these sad songs about his death. These songs of sorrow have become a tradition and are recorded in The Book of Laments.

Disappointment and the loss of opportunity generate sadness, which groups often recognize in stories and songs. Sadness can be contagious.

Job 9:27-28“If I decided to forget my complaints, to put away my sad face and be cheerful, I would still dread all the pain, for I know you will not find me innocent, O God.”

Masking sadness with a happy face doesn’t resolve the internal feelings or what is causing them.

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

Sadness, like suffering, can make us take a closer look at what’s important in our lives. It can reveal superficiality and create greater sensitivity.