Mourning Leads to Happiness?

“God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matt 5:4 NLT

The second stop on this journey to happiness brings us to somewhat of a paradox. Imagine stepping off of a train that is destined for a place called happiness. It is a pit stop of sorts, one needed to obtain some supplies. In our case, we need to obtain some more information – some additional directions for the journey.

Once off of the train, we look up and see the sign that announces our present location – “Mourning”. So, on a train bound for happiness we are stopped in “Mourning”. Confused? Good! Read On…

Briefly think about the word mourning, what thoughts does this word engender? No doubt our immediate thoughts are not pleasant. Perhaps, we remember a time of loss in our life and rightly so. Losses can be devastating. Losses can crush our spirit and break our hearts.

During times of loss and remembering times of loss can be tough, perhaps that’s why the Psalmist wrote…


"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18 NIV

But, what is it about mourning that makes it an included stop on the journey to happiness?

Remember back to your honeymoon days with your spouse. A time when you could FINALLY be with the one your heart desired - 24/7. Remember those days of happiness with very little responsibility. Breakfast in bed at noon, long walks to nowhere in particular, effort-free dining at great restaurants and the sharing of heart, mind and body in un-interrupted bliss, all combining for an ideal start to your marriage. Then, after a time, reality sets in with its schedules, tasks and responsibilities.

If we are honest and, although we do not regret many of the gifts and blessings that cause those staples of our lives, we begin to mourn the loss of those honeymoon days. Sure, we can re-capture fleeting moments of that time with clever and important devices such as “date-night” and short trips over even shorter weekends, but the reality of our lives always returns.

As great as a honeymoon is, there was a honeymoon far greater. Adam and Eve had a great honeymoon. It was to be their “reality”. They ran around the garden in complete oblivion to the cares we now carry. They spent what would be the epitome of quality time with each other and they actually walked and talked with God. But all of that changed when Adam and Eve chose to give in to the power of sin. Do you think Adam and Eve mourned that loss?

God also mourned that loss. So much so that he immediately put a plan of redemption and reconciliation into place to regain that which was lost – a close, intimate relationship with you and I.

Do you mourn the loss of the relationship we could have had with God? Imagine, God himself was present, physically, emotionally and spiritually with the representation of his relationship with his people – Adam and Eve as husband and wife.

Often, when we mourn, we desire to have that which we have lost back. Do you desire a greater and deeper relationship with your spouse? Then, might I suggest desiring a greater and deeper relationship with God – the author of your marriage.

Mourn that loss of close relationship saying, “God, I want to feel your presence in my life and my marriage.”

Pray together as a husband and wife, desiring that close and intimate relationship with the Lord. Mourn what was lost by desiring to have it back and pursuing it with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength. When you do, God will be near and he will bring his comfort.

The journey continues…

For Marriages and Families,

Dave