sorrow.
i was reading back at some of the devotionals that i tabbed. i came across one that i really liked, so i thought i'd share it.
Sorrow is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart. (Ecclesiastes 7:3)
Sorrow, under the power of divine grace, performs various ministries in our lives. Sorrow reveals unknown depths of the soul, and unknown capacities for suffering and service. Lighthearted, frivolous people are always shallow and are never aware of their own meagerness or lack of depth. Sorrow is God's tool to plow the depths of the soul, that it may yield richer harvests. If humankind were still in a glorified state, having never fallen, then the strong floods of divine joy would be the force God would use to reveal our souls' capacities. But in a fallen world, sorrow, yet with despair removed, is the power chosen to reveal us to ourselves. Accordingly, it is sorrow that causes us to take the time to think deeply and seriously.
Sorrow makes us move more slowly and considerately and examine our motives and attitudes. It opens within us the heavenly life, and it makes us willing to set our capacities afloat on a limitless sea of service for God and for others. [...]
God never uses anyone to a great degree until He breaks the person completely. [...] It takes sorrow to expand and deepen the soul. [...]
"Blessed is sorrow, for it reveals God's comfort."
i think i really like this because during times of sorrow, my thoughts are usually all over the place, and i don't seem to understand things. this passage really serves as a good reminder for myself, and it helps set my mind back on track.
Sorrow is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart. (Ecclesiastes 7:3)
Sorrow, under the power of divine grace, performs various ministries in our lives. Sorrow reveals unknown depths of the soul, and unknown capacities for suffering and service. Lighthearted, frivolous people are always shallow and are never aware of their own meagerness or lack of depth. Sorrow is God's tool to plow the depths of the soul, that it may yield richer harvests. If humankind were still in a glorified state, having never fallen, then the strong floods of divine joy would be the force God would use to reveal our souls' capacities. But in a fallen world, sorrow, yet with despair removed, is the power chosen to reveal us to ourselves. Accordingly, it is sorrow that causes us to take the time to think deeply and seriously.
Sorrow makes us move more slowly and considerately and examine our motives and attitudes. It opens within us the heavenly life, and it makes us willing to set our capacities afloat on a limitless sea of service for God and for others. [...]
God never uses anyone to a great degree until He breaks the person completely. [...] It takes sorrow to expand and deepen the soul. [...]
"Blessed is sorrow, for it reveals God's comfort."
i think i really like this because during times of sorrow, my thoughts are usually all over the place, and i don't seem to understand things. this passage really serves as a good reminder for myself, and it helps set my mind back on track.