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Have you ever had a co-worker or employer mistreat you? Have you ever been misrepresented and mistreated by members of the church? Have you suffered the loss of a close friend or family member? Have you ever felt that you were all alone and no one really cared about you? Have you ever been caught up in sin and overcome with feelings of guilt? Have you ever stood for truth but still been rejected by others? WHAT KIND OF AN EMOTIONAL EFFECT DO ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS CAUSE?

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JOY and HAPPINESS are the greatest blessings a person can obtain. They are blessings that all consider VALUABLE and SEEK AFTER. But no JOY can compare with that of being a FAITHFUL CHILD OF GOD.But no JOY can compare with that of being a FAITHFUL CHILD OF GOD. With faithful service comes not only JOY and HAPPINESS, but CONTENTMENT, PEACE, and SECURITY.With faithful service comes not only JOY and HAPPINESS, but CONTENTMENT, PEACE, and SECURITY. But did you ever stop and think about how many GREAT BIBLE CHARACTERS lives were filled with SORROW? Its just about impossible to name one whose life WAS NOT touched by sorrow!Its just about impossible to name one whose life WAS NOT touched by sorrow! Therefore, it is foolish for us to think that we can go through life without experiencing SORROW also.Therefore, it is foolish for us to think that we can go through life without experiencing SORROW also. As Christians... we should prepare ourselves to deal with the SORROW that is sure to come our way. Lets consider some things...

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This tragedy was complete when they squared off in battle, leading to Absaloms death... (II Samuel 18:33). David was a man after Gods own heart, but he knew the DEPTHS OF SORROW. We are especially touched with David, because he wrote such moving descriptions of his SUFFERINGS and SORROW... His child with Bathsheba, died as a result of his sin... (II Samuel 12:15-18). His son Amnon raped his daughter Tamar... (II Samuel 13:10-14, 21). His son Absalom then murdered Amnon... (II Samuel 13:22, 28-31). Absalom who was exiled later returns with an army to drive David out of Jerusalem... (II Samuel 15:14, 30). I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears. 7. Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies... (Psalms 6:6-7). When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. 4. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah... (Psalms 32:3-4).

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Jeremiah is known to many, as the WEEPING PROPHET. When I would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart is faint in me. 19. Behold the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people because of them that dwell in a far country: Is not the LORD in Zion? is not her king in her? Why have they provoked me to anger with their graven images, and with strange vanities? 20. The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved. 21. For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on me. 22. Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered? 1. Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people! 2. Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them! for they be all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men... (Jeremiah 8:18- 9:2). Jeremiah lived a life of TEARS, because he loved Gods people.

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Imagine the MOTHER of Jesus as she stood at the foot of the cross... (John 19:25). Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene... (John 19:25). What great sorrow she bore to WITNESS what they did to her son, Jesus. And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, 40. And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. 41. Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, 42. He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. 43. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. 44. The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth... (Matthew 27:39-44).

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Peter, the over zealous apostle, WEPT after he denied Jesus. Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off. 55. And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. 56. But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him. 57. And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. 58. And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. 59. And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. 60. And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. 61. And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. 62. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly... (Luke 22:54-62). How Peter must have felt when he looked into the eyes of Jesus.

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Jesus above all others, was prophesied to be the MAN OF SORROWS... He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not... (Isaiah 53:3). Jesus was cruelly mistreated by those he came to save. His life was truly, a life of SORROW! For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin... (Hebrews 4:15).

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Its not good for you to keep SORROW bottled up inside. To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven... A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance... (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4).To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven... A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance... (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4). It is only FOOLISH PRIDE that causes a person to pretend they are too strong to feel SORROW. Its all right to SHED TEARS.Its all right to SHED TEARS. DO NOT TRY TO DENY THE REALITY OF YOUR SORROW...

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Some allow sorrow to turn to GUILT by falsely accusing themselves. For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin... (Psalms 38:18).For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin... (Psalms 38:18). You can bear SORROW, but add the burden of GUILT to the load and it can break you! When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. 4. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah. 5. I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah... (Psalms 32:3-5).When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. 4. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah. 5. I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah... (Psalms 32:3-5). Others, who actually are GUILTY, compound the problem by refusing to confess and repent. David learned this lesson the HARD WAY... DO NOT ALLOW SORROW TO TURN TO GUILT... DO NOT TRY TO DENY THE REALITY OF YOUR SORROW...

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SORROW can be like a DEEP WELL or a PIT that has no bottom. So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow... (2 Corinthians 2:7).So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow... (2 Corinthians 2:7). EMOTIONAL PAIN is like PHYSICAL PAIN: natural for a while. But if it does not eventually subside, something else is WRONG. It is possible to be SWALLOWED UP with too much SORROW.It is possible to be SWALLOWED UP with too much SORROW. DO NOT ALLOW SORROW TO LINGER ON AND ON... DO NOT ALLOW SORROW TO TURN TO GUILT... DO NOT TRY TO DENY THE REALITY OF YOUR SORROW...

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There is a difference between SORROW and SELF-PITY. All will experience SORROW, but SELF-PITY is when one thinks he has it worse than everybody else does... Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place 12. And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven. 13. So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great... (Job 2:11-13).Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place 12. And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven. 13. So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great... (Job 2:11-13). If you think you have it bad, go back and read about the life of JOB... There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it... ( 1 Corinthians 10:13).There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it... ( 1 Corinthians 10:13). DO NOT ENGAGE IN SELF PITY... DO NOT ALLOW SORROW TO LINGER ON AND ON... DO NOT ALLOW SORROW TO TURN TO GUILT... DO NOT TRY TO DENY THE REALITY OF YOUR SORROW...

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DO NOT ALLOW SORROW TO TURN TO GUILT... DO NOT ALLOW SORROW TO LINGER ON AND ON... DONT ENGAGE IN SELF PITY... DO NOT EXPECT TO LIVE LIFE WITHOUT EXPERIENCING SOME SORROW... To some people, the fact that faithful men have SUFFERED is no consolation. They continue to reason, Why would God allow His children to SUFFER? Thus, as long as man lives here on earth, life is spent with SORROW and PAIN.Thus, as long as man lives here on earth, life is spent with SORROW and PAIN. SORROW only entered the world through SIN (Genesis 3:16-19).SORROW only entered the world through SIN (Genesis 3:16-19). Here, we must realize that God never intended for man to ENDURE SORROW... However, there is HOPE, in heaven SORROW will be completely done away with... And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away... (Revelation 21:4).And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away... (Revelation 21:4).

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GODLY SORROW WILL LEAD MAN TO REPENTANCE... We hear and understand that just being SORRY is not REPENTANCE, and this is true! But no one ever genuinely REPENTED without first having a deep sense of SORROW for having committed sin. For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season. 9. Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 10. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death... (II Corinthians 7:8-10).

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EXPERIENCES THAT BRING DEEP SORROW OFTEN FORCE US CLOSER... Closer to GOD... Closer to ONE ANOTHER... GODLY SORROW WILL LEAD MAN TO REPENTANCE... The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. 5. The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. 6. In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears... (Psalms 18:4-6). Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep... (Romans 12:15). Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men... (I Thessalonians 5:14).

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SORROW HELPS US GAIN MATURITY... People who experience deep sorrow often learn about the TRUE worth of things. Things once considered valuable, LOSE THEIR VALUE. Things once considered of little importance now take on a NEW and DEEPER MEANING. Solomon's words are TRUE... GODLY SORROW WILL LEAD MAN TO REPENTANCE... EXPERIENCES THAT BRING DEEP SORROW OFTEN FORCE US CLOSER... Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better... (Ecclesiastes 7:3). It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.... (Ecclesiastes 7:2).

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SORROW HELPS US GAIN MATURITY... GODLY SORROW WILL LEAD MAN TO REPENTANCE... THE GREATEST LESSON IN SORROW IS THAT IT TEACHES US ABOUT JOY... It can truly be said... No one has ever experienced the real HEIGHTS OF JOY until he has known the very DEPTHS OF SORROW. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning... (Psalms 30:5). EXPERIENCES THAT BRING DEEP SORROW OFTEN FORCE US CLOSER... The words of David are very COMFORTING... Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice... 12. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.... (Psalms 51:8, 12).

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YES... All of us experience SORROW! But recognizing its benefits and handling it correctly can add much to our lives. It does make a difference how you handle SORROW!

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But you can't handle SORROW properly without having the right relationship with God! HEAR... (Romans 10:17) BELIEVE... (John 8:24) REPENT... (Luke 13:3) CONFESS... (Acts 8:37) BAPTIZE... (Acts 2:38) To have the right relationship one MUST... To continue in the right relationship one MUST... TRANSFORM TO THE WILL OF GOD... (Romans 12:1-2) CONFESS OUR SINS TO GOD... (I John 1:9) REMAINING FAITHFUL TO GOD... (Revelation 2:10) LIFE WITHOUT GOD LIFE WITH GOD Benefits of the right relationship with God... HELP... (Hebrews 4:14-16) HOPE... (I Peter 1:3) HAPPINESS... (John 13:17) HEAVEN... (John 14:1-3) God is the ANSWER you have been looking for!