Winning AttitudesНамуна

Winning Attitude 2 – Mourning

Sorrow and tears are everyone’s companion at some time or the other. The spiritual term for mourn,  Pantheō, meaning “to lament”, does not imply material loss, rejection or loss of a dear one. It implies lament over one’s own sinfulness. It is that “godly sorrow” which “produces repentance leading to salvation” (2 Corinthians 7:10). Comfort and strength in sorrow brings repentance to resist sin, and stand against sin. Salvation from the penalty of sin is a one-time event, but we are constantly striving for salvation from the presence of sin.

So how do we compare one form of mourning against another? It is simply indicated by what grieves us the most. Is it external situations or our own internal sinfulness. D. L. Moody said “I’ve had more trouble with D. L. Moody than I’ve had with any man alive”. Paul’s outburst “O wretched man that I am. Who can deliver me from this body of death” at the end of Romans 7 reflects a similar sentiment. 

The benefits of “mourning” are many. The obvious one already stated is repentance and a sincere battle against the repetition of grievous sins over which we mourn. The side benefits of that is that we view others more empathetically, judge less and love more. The personal benefit is that other sorrows do not grip us or devastate us but go into the back burner. As a result, we do not get prone to depression or deep grief as the main point of grief, our own sin is not only dealt with but bathed in heavenly comfort.

Spiritual mourning, therefore actually alleviates earthly sorrows and ushers in God’s comfort. It strengthens a spirit of humility as we acknowledge our strong incapabilities and dependence on the Heavenly Father. It ensures a strong sense of empathy and identity with fellow humans as we partner with God to fulfill our mission, in spite of our weaknesses. Spiritual mourning paves way for a joy that is higher and fuller and for a radiance that shines brighter. Dr. Henry Brandt has said, “Other people don’t create your spirit, they only reveal it”. Nothing can touch our soul unless we allow it. It is divinely protected.

What disturbs us the most? Our temporary circumstances or the things that grieve God. Have we tasted the deep joy that results from “mourning”?