Question 1

Is God concerned about my sorrow?

Accepted Answer

Isaiah 53:3He [the Messiah] was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.Hebrews 5:7-9While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God. Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him.Through the pain and sorrow of Jesus’ experiences on earth, God himself experienced the depth of human grief.John 11:35-36Then Jesus wept. The people who were standing nearby said, “See how much he loved him!”The tears of Jesus demonstrate that he relates to our human sorrow. Great grief comes from great love.Luke 19:41As he [Jesus] came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep.Jesus grieved over rejection, just as we do.1 Peter 5:7Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.God cares not only about our eternal future, but also about our present troubles.

Question 2

Should faith in God eliminate my sorrow?

Accepted Answer

2 Samuel 18:32-33“What about young Absalom?” the king demanded. “Is he all right?” And the Ethiopian replied, “May all of your enemies, my lord the king, both now and in the future, share the fate of that young man!” The king was overcome with emotion. He went up to the room over the gateway and burst into tears. And as he went, he cried, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you! O Absalom, my son, my son.”King David’s reaction to the loss of his son was an acute response of grief. God himself called David a man after his own heart, yet David experienced great sorrow. Sorrow is a regular part of our earthly existence. Although faith in God does not erase our sorrow on earth, it does give us hope and a longing for an eternal future where there will be no sorrow.Mark 14:32-36They went to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and Jesus said, “Sit here while I go and pray.” He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he became deeply troubled and distressed. He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” He went on a little farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass him by. “Abba, Father,” he cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”Even Jesus suffered great sorrow and pain on earth.Matthew 17:22-23After they gathered again in Galilee, Jesus told them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.” And the disciples were filled with grief.Even though Jesus promised he would rise from the dead, the disciples still grieved his coming death.

Question 3

How can I find hope in my times of sorrow?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 30:5His [the Lord’s] anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.John 16:20“I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy.”Revelation 21:4“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”God promises to relieve our sorrow and one day replace it with joy that lasts forever.1 Thessalonians 4:13Now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope.The promise of eternal life with God brings hope in the midst of our grief.Romans 8:26The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.When our suffering is so great that we don’t know what to pray, the Holy Spirit prays for us.Psalm 23:4Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.Remember that God doesn’t promise to shield us from suffering or remove us from the dark valleys of life; instead he promises to be with us in those places and moments.Romans 12:15Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.2 Corinthians 1:3-7All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.The experience of sorrow deepens our compassion for others. After having received the comfort of Jesus during our own grief, we can become a comforting presence to others.

Question 4

What should I do when I’m sad?

Accepted Answer

1 Kings 19:4-6Then he [Elijah] went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.” Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!” He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again.Recovery from deep sadness involves a number of factors, including a new perspective. Elijah was tired, hungry, and feeling completely alone. A period of rest, good food, and reengagement with God helped him to regain a proper perspective and to reconnect with God’s purpose for his life. Sorrow can lead to depression when we have lost the hope God offers us and the big picture of God’s purpose for us. Sadness for a time over a loss is natural and appropriate. But if it goes on too long, it can become unhealthy. Begin with rest, good nutrition, and reengagement with God. When we still need help after taking these steps, a godly counselor may be able to help us regain a right perspective.Deuteronomy 1:21“‘Look! He has placed the land in front of you. Go and occupy it as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has promised you. Don’t be afraid! Don’t be discouraged!’”Galatians 6:9So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.Zechariah 8:6“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: All this may seem impossible to you now, a small remnant of God’s people. But is it impossible for me? says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”When we feel discouraged, it is easy to turn inward and become paralyzed by our sadness and pain. It takes some effort, but we need to refocus our attention on God. Every day he opens opportunities that can bring purpose and meaning into our lives: helping someone in need, volunteering time for a good cause, writing a note of encouragement. When we lift our eyes from the ground, we will see the doors God is opening. We should walk through these doors with courage, and on the other side we will begin to find relief from our sorrow.