Matthew 5:4

Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted. – Matthew 5:4

Dear Jesus,

It’s our natural inclination to avoid crying about anything.  In fact, for a long time I thought that if I was mourning that I was not living the good life.  But you teach me that quite the opposite is true.  If I learn to mourn the tragic parts of life, then and only then will I be open to receive your comfort.  And I have experienced your comfort too.  When I mourn my sins, I have been authentically comforted by your forgiveness.  When I have mourned my disappointments, I have been comforted by your promises to work good out of them.  When I have mourned the loss of loved ones, I have experienced relief in your promise of heaven.  When I have mourned my own mortality, you have comforted me with life that never ends.  Oh Jesus, help me to really mourn and really feel so I can also feel your love and truth yanking me out of my sadness to true spiritual peace and joy.  Give those I see repressing their feelings the insight to open their heart to mourning and comfort too. AMEN

Pastor Don Patterson

It’s a good thing to be sad when something sad is happening, as long as we are sad with Jesus and his strength by our side.