I'm Sad

My brother-in-law has been diagnosed with a degenerative brain disorder.

The man my sister has loved for more than 40 years is disappearing.

In a recent letter, she detailed her husband’s worsening symptoms: hallucinations, insomnia, confusion and fear. She closed her letter with the words, ‘I’m sad.’ ‘Sad’: such a small word to express her anguish, fear and hopelessness.

How should we, as Christians, address sadness? Should we embrace it or pretend it doesn’t exist? Is it all right to be sad? Is hope to be found in the midst of grief?

Jesus understands sadness. He was moved by Mary’s grief at her brother’s death and he wept (John 11:33–35).

In Gethsemane he said, ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death’ (Matthew 26:38).

The Lord embraces us and weeps with us in our sadness.

In the midst of our grief, God gives us hope. ‘Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy’ (John 16:22). ‘Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning’ (Psalm 30:5).

We are never alone in our sadness. God is near to comfort us.

Prayer: Dear God, we pray your blessing on those who are sad. Comfort them, and restore in them your joy. Amen