"Finding Comfort in our Sorrow" Matthew 5:4

Preach the Word Podcast

Episode 66

Title: Finding Comfort in our Sorrow
Text: Matthew 5:4

“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” -Matthew 5:4

Introduction:

Misery is defined as “a state or feeling of great distress or discomfort of mind or body” (oxford).
“Suffering keeps its face hid from each while making itself known to all… we are one in suffering. Some are wealthy, some are bright; some athletic, some admired. But we all suffer. For we all prize and love; and in this present existence of ours, prizing and loving yields suffering.” - Nicholas Wolterstorff

Suffering is inevitable in the human experience. No one is immune to it and we all experience it in one way or another. Job said in Job 14:1, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble.” Job is one of the best examples to use for someone who suffered, as a series of events saw him losing his wealth & possession, children, and then eventually his health. Other examples of suffering in the Bible:
- Joseph was lied on by his own brothers and sold into slavery because his father loved him. When he prospered in the house of Potiphar he was lied on once again by Potiphar’s wife and thrown into prison.
- Jonah was swallowed by a whale after refusing to go to Ninevah.
- Samson had his eyes gauged out and was made sport of in front of the Philistines after giving his heart to a strange woman.
- The blind man in Jerusalem in John chapter 9 was introduced as being blind since his birth.

All of these situations are different in that some of them the individual did absolutely nothing wrong, in other situations the individual put themselves in the positions they were in. Regardless, they all experienced suffering. A good question to ask ourselves then, is why do we suffer? The best way to answer that is by going to the beginning of our story to the Garden of Eden. Paul said in Romans 5:12, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” That one man of course was Adam, and this verse is referring to the story found in Genesis 3. The moment Adam disobeyed God is the moment suffering was brought on our world. This suffering was physical, psychological, and social.

“Physical: With sweat on their brows, the first couple encountered fatigue, hunger, nakedness, exposure, sinus infections, cavities, and other maladies. Psychological: They would know the suffocation of loneliness, alienation, addiction, anxiety, shame, regret, depression, and despair…Social: Sin corrupted, undermined, and even destroyed their relationships. All manner of social conflict suddenly entered the picture: resentment, envy, animosity, impatience, bullying, one-upmanship, abuse, and rage. Such is the legacy we have inherited and now perpetuate in our worldy societies” - Castaldo, Chris. The Upside Down Kingdom: Wisdom for Life from the Beatitudes (pp. 25-26).

To “Mourn” means to “feel regret or sadness about” (Oxford). One of many responses to our physical, mental, and social suffering is to mourn. In our society, a person who is “in mourning” usually refers to a person who is grieving a loss of a loved one. Which of course, is a great reason to mourn. But there are other reasons for a person to feel sadness and regret.

Mourn about Physical Suffering: In addition to losing a loved one, there are other reasons to mourn physical suffering.
- Growing older is a blessing, but also brings pain. “Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.” (Ecclesiastes 12:6) Solomon was talking about the cord of life. He is speaking of aging and approaching death. There are many examples we can give. Some over time, others can be sudden. Regardless, we suffer physically.
- Death is inevitable. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” (Hebrews 9:27,28)

Mourn about Mental Suffering:
- The Psalmist said in Psalms 42:11, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me?”
- Nearly 1 in 4 adults feel lonely (CNN)
- “Almost 21 million Americans have at least one addiction, yet only 10% of them receive treatment” (Addiction center)

Mourn about Social Suffering:
- In October of 2024, the CDC reports suicide as being one of the leading causes of death in the United States. (CDC)
- This year, it was reported that 309 million people in over 71 countries experience acute hunger. (WH Foods)
- From 2016 to 2020, over 5,000 children were separated from their parents at the United States borders.
- In 2023 alone, there were over 1 million abortions in the United States.
- In 2019, it was reported that 20% of students,(1 out of every 5) were bullied. (PACER)
So, we not only see that because of sin, there is suffering. But we also see, that because of suffering, there is a reason to mourn. In our key verse, Jesus said, “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted”. To some, this may even sound like a contradiction. The word Blessed, is another word for happiness. Happy is the person that…mourns? Of course, the happiness comes from the comfort one finds in Christ. One of the best examples of one that finds comfort from God in mourning, was the Old Testament Prophet Micah. (Reference Micah chapter 7)
- “Woe is me! for I am as when they have gathered the summer fruits, as the grapegleanings of the vintage: there is no cluster to eat: my soul desired the firstripe fruit.” – Micah 7:1
- “Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom. For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man's enemies are the men of his own house. Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.” - Micah 7:5-8
- “Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.” – Micah 7:18

We read earlier from Psalm 42:5. To finish this verse, it says “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.” To live from the heart of God, means to find comfort in our sorrow.
 
Outline: What should we do with our Suffering?

I. Acknowledge it: Embrace our Suffering in a Healthy Way
One very unhealthy way of handling our suffering is to refuse to acknowledge it. Many people have tried to escape suffering by simply ignoring it. This is unfortunately true in Church life as suffering and sorrow are defined as the enemy of joy, and that we must carry a positive and encouraging attitude. How many times have you heard someone say “you’re in Church, you need to smile!” or show negative feelings or emotions to an individual that is cast down? Gloria Grahame, known for playing Violet Bick in “It’s a Wonderful Life” was diagnosed with Breast cancer in 1974. She was treated and went into remission, but in 1980 the cancer came back and Gloria refused to acknowledge it. She went on about her life without accepting or treating the cancer diagnosis resulting in a rapid decline of her health. She passed away the following year at the age of 57. The refusal to accept our pain can be devastating but also dangerous. The first step in mourning anything, is to acknowledge it. David, Micah, Joseph, and Job all acknowledged their pain. The healthy way of doing this, is to embrace it knowing that God will comfort us.

II. Admit it: Express our Suffering in a Healthy Way
The Psalms is full of suffering, because they expressed it. Life is a “Mere Breath” (Psalms 39:11); Our life is full of “toil and trouble” (Psalms 90:10). In fact, it has been said that 40% of the psalms are words of mourning. To some people, this may come across as whining and can be seen as very negative. We must understand, there is a big difference in complaining and mourning. To feel and show sorrow for pain and suffering is a normal part of life. Expressing our pain in suffering by complaining, is very unhealthy. Paul tells us in Philippians 2:14, “Do all things without murmurings and disputings”. We can express our suffering in a Godly way by being honest about it.
“Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.” – Psalms 25:18
“O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee” – Psalm 42:6
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” – Ephesians 4:29

III. Assign it: Ease our Suffering in a Healthy Way
There are many ways to ease our suffering, but they are not all healthy. Self-medicating, binging, complaining, bitterness, strife, the list goes on. But God wants to ease our suffering. Jesus said, “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” It is scriptural to acknowledge and admit our suffering. It is scriptural to mourn over that suffering, and it is scriptural to take that and give it to God.
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
To assign our suffering, means to give it, project it, and to cast it all on Christ.