Happy And FreeSample

This word for mourning that Jesus uses here is the word we would use to describe the grief we experience for someone we have lost. It’s that deep sorrow that moves us to tears. It’s the pain we feel inside when our hearts are broken as something we treasured was taken away from us. 

The pain we experience in life hardens our hearts. Happiness is hindered where your heart is hardened. This is why mourning is so important to your soul’s happiness and freedom. Mourning loosens the roots of pain like rain loosens roots of weeds.

Mourning your hurt and your guilt prepares the heart to receive God’s loving comfort. Your softened heart becomes fertile ground for the Holy Spirit to give you a deep joy and fresh freedom. One way to tell how well you’re doing with past pain is by your ability to share it with a friend or group member. If you can’t openly share it with a trusted friend, it’s evidence of a hard area of your heart. 

What pain, resentment, anger, or bitterness tends to creep up in your heart or mind? That might be obstructing the work of God in your life. Express to God the emotions associated with that memory. To take this a step further, express this with a trusted friend or group member.