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◄ Being Sad►

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Definition and Nature:
Sadness is an emotional state characterized by feelings of sorrow, grief, or unhappiness. In the biblical context, sadness is often portrayed as a natural human response to loss, disappointment, or the recognition of sin. It is an emotion that can lead to spiritual reflection and growth when approached with a heart open to God's guidance.

Biblical Instances:
The Bible contains numerous accounts of individuals experiencing sadness, often in response to personal or communal crises. One of the most poignant examples is found in the account of Job, who experienced profound grief and lamentation after losing his children, wealth, and health. Job's response to his suffering is encapsulated in his words: "Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb?" (Job 3:11).

King David also expressed deep sadness in the Psalms, often crying out to God in times of distress. InPsalm 42:5, David writes, "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him for the salvation of His presence" . This verse highlights the struggle between human sadness and the hope found in God.

Sadness and Repentance:
Sadness can also be a catalyst for repentance and spiritual renewal. The Apostle Paul, in his second letter to the Corinthians, speaks of "godly sorrow" that leads to repentance. He writes, "For godly sorrow produces repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death" (2 Corinthians 7:10). This distinction emphasizes the transformative potential of sadness when it draws individuals closer to God.

Jesus and Sadness:
Jesus Himself experienced sadness, most notably at the death of Lazarus. InJohn 11:35, the shortest verse in the Bible, it simply states, "Jesus wept" . This moment reveals the depth of Jesus' compassion and His shared experience of human emotions. Additionally, Jesus' sorrow in the Garden of Gethsemane, as He faced His impending crucifixion, is a profound example of His humanity: "My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death" (Matthew 26:38).

Comfort in Sadness:
The Bible offers numerous assurances of God's comfort and presence in times of sadness.Psalm 34:18 declares, "The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit" . This promise of divine closeness provides solace to those who are grieving or in distress.

The Beatitudes, spoken by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, also address those who mourn: "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted" (Matthew 5:4). This assurance of comfort underscores the hope that believers can find in God's promises, even amidst sorrow.

Practical Application:
Believers are encouraged to bring their sadness to God in prayer, trusting in His ability to provide peace and healing.Philippians 4:6-7 advises, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" .

Furthermore, the Christian community is called to support one another in times of sadness.Romans 12:15 instructs, "Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep" , emphasizing the importance of empathy and shared burdens within the body of Christ.

Topical Bible Verses

Ecclesiastes 7:3
Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
Topicalbible.org

Nehemiah 8:10
Then he said to them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions to them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy to our LORD: neither be you sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
Topicalbible.org

2 Corinthians 6:10
As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
Topicalbible.org

Romans 12:15
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Topicalbible.org

Greek

4036. perilupos -- verysad
... encompassing" and 3077 , "sorrow") -- properly,being sorrowful "all-around," ie
in sorrow. Word Origin from peri and lupe Definition verysad NASB Word Usage...

Library

On the Words of the Gospel, John x. 14, "I am the Good Shepherd...
... only, but a second and a third time, that by a threefold confession of love, he
might efface the threefold sin of denial; wherefore, I say,being sad that he...

That Holy Indifference Extends to all Things.
... Their sorrow is joyous, their poverty rich, their death life-giving, their dishonour
honourable, that is, they are joyful forbeing sad, content to be poor...

Of the Indifference which we are to have as to Our Advancement in...
... stirrings be no sin, yet the poor soul that is often attacked by them, troubles,
afflicts and disquiets herself, and thinks she does well inbeing sad, as if...

Argument. Saturus, in a vision, and PerpetuaBeing Carried by...
... Andbeing clothed, we entered and saw the boundless light, and heard the united... the
presbyter, a teacher, [9000] at the left hand, separate andsad; and they...

Resignation
... When we have labored long in the light of hope, and lo! It goes out in darkness,
and the blast of disappointment rushes upon us, can we helpbeing sad?...

Psalm CXLVI.
... not as yet in reality, but in hope; and saith to it when troubled and anxious,sad
and sorrowing... I will sing unto my God, as long as I have mybeing." What sort...

To the Saddest of theSad
... If any of you are in asad condition, your best hopes may lie this way.... having at
first heard it with pleasure, they find that, for the timebeing, it involves...

The Former Subject of the Sedition Continued; Also of Fasting...
... This, indeed, was a great thing; but what is much more, instead ofbeing madesad,
they considered their very scourgings, as a ground of additional pleasure....

That Sadness is Almost Always Useless, Yea Contrary to the Service...
... that spreading over every pain of body and contrition of spirit, andbeing in a... and
such is right sadness, which in good sooth is not reallysad or melancholy...

Fasting
... If there is less fasting now than then, Christians still need to take care that
they do not get up a certain 'sad countenance' for the sake ofbeing seen of men...