Sorrow Can Be Sacred Ground

 

Why Sorrow in the Plan of Happiness?

By Lyle J. Burrup

Retired Family Services Counselor

After Andria’s death, grief became my constant companion and mentor for months. Robert Browning Hamilton’s poem eloquently captures what sorrow did for me:

I walked a mile with Pleasure;

She chatted all the way,

But left me none the wiser

For all she had to say.

I walked a mile with Sorrow,

And ne’er a word said she;

But oh, the things I learned from her

When Sorrow walked with me!

The book of Ecclesiastes teaches a similar principle: “In much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow” (Ecclesiastes 1:18).

Sorrow—which includes opposition, weakness, tribulation, and affliction—can be the faithful companion and daily mentor God intends if we but know how to use it as such....

...Second, our attitude regarding sorrow is of monumental importance. Experience with sorrow can be sacred ground. Learn to treat it as such. After a sorrowful experience, step back and examine what happened. Humbly and objectively analyze:

• Why did that happen?

• What good things can I learn from this?

• Can I use what I have learned to avoid this in the future?