Devotional: Happy Are The Sad

Have you ever thought that mourning is the pathway to Godly happiness and God’s favor? In Matthew 5:4, Jesus makes a startling and slightly uncomfortable statement. He says that sadness is not only a good thing, but it can be the best thing! Wait, what? The world avoids sadness at all costs. The world just wants good vibes only. But there is a type of sadness that brings blessing. When we mourn, we are comforted by God. Sadness with God resets our relationship with God, others, and the world around us. We cannot experience a balanced spiritual life unless we walk the path of mourning. Sadness with God settles our pain when we bring our pain into his presence and place it under the blood of Christ. Once we are in His presence, sadness with God settles our guilt when we mourn over our sin. And once forgiven, we are set free from the weight of sin and our lives are secure in the will and favor of God. Therefore, happy are you when you are sad, just like the verse says!

Questions For Meditation:

1. Blessed means happy and fortunate because of the favor of God. What was your relationship to mourning until now? Have you avoided it at all costs? 
2. What is the benefit of mourning with God? Whose comfort and healing do you want most?
3. Jesus is deeply acquainted with your pain. How have you tried to settle your pain? Have you tried to hide, medicate, or ignore your sadness? What happens when you bring your sadness into the presence of God? What happens when you bring your pain under the blood?
4. There is another type of sadness that comes from sin. What is the difference between the world’s sadness and Godly sadness? Have you recognized the weight of sin and felt the sadness of grieving God or being far from Him?
5. Mourning over your sin invites the immeasurable mercy of God. What happens when we tell ourselves we haven’t sinned and don’t ever mourn over our sin? What happens when you bring your sin into the light of His presence and under His blood? How do you do that?
6. Isaiah 1:18 says “though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” If sadness and mourning with God resets your life, washes away all your sin, and gives you everlasting life, how does that change your view of mourning? Does that make you want to mourn with God more often?
7. We are subject to mourning here on earth. But where is there no mourning, no sadness, and no tears? Aren’t you happy that sadness brings you the joy of God’s presence and closer to that day? What will you do about your pain and sadness going forward?