We try to avoid suffering, shrink from trials, recoil from pain, and question God when things don’t go as planned.

But could a loss in the earthly realm be a gain in the spiritual realm? A momentary loss for an eternal gain?

“Mourn” in American Sign Language is made by placing your two hands at your heart and wringing them as though you’re wringing out a wet towel.

I’m sure everyone has felt that before – a twisting of your heart from sorrow. Maybe you’ve even felt it this week.

How do we view these times of grief?

Do we see trials as an indication of the absence of God’s presence, power, and provision?

Or do we see it as Scripture describes it?

Scripture says those who mourn are blessed. They will be comforted because the Lord is close to the brokenhearted. We can mourn with hope because we know the sufferings don’t compare to the glory which will be revealed in us. Our affliction is light and is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

I don’t fully understand the reasons behind the times of mourning, but I know the fire of grief burns away impurities we long to be cleansed from, and for that I yield.

The Bible tells us there’s a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance. We need to hold loosely to what we think we’re entitled to, realize the brevity of this life under the sun, and welcome anything that stores up for us treasures in eternity.