Although we will be blessed when we mourn, there is no virtue in rushing headlong into sin or personal pain in order to experience the comfort of God.  We should obey the single word found in the Apostle Paul’s warning to Timothy regarding youthful lusts: “Flee” (2 Timothy 2:22).  In regards to trials, we must remember when Jesus was speaking about the future destruction of Jerusalem He said, “Then let those who are in Jerusalem flee to the mountains” (Matthew 24:16).

If you can run, run.  If you can avoid heartache and still maintain your integrity, then by all means do so.  Even Joseph and Mary protected Jesus from danger until He was old enough to care for Himself.

But when we fall, God is there.  When we hurt, He does not abandon us.  Not only is He there with us, but He offers us grace and peace, and for believers the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus gave His disciples this promise: “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say” (Luke 12:11-12).

This means there is joy in the process of mourning.  I have personally experienced the incredible comfort of God rushing into my spirit at a time when I was down to my last ounce of strength.  I have heard many metaphors used to describe this sensation, from the wind at our backs to the mighty crest of an ocean wave, but they all suggest the same thing: when we are spent God opens His storehouse of joy and does for us we can’t do for ourselves.

If you are hurting right now, I am so very sorry.  I hope your pain is short-lived and one day very soon you wake up to a glorious new dawn.  But until then, I am confident God will comfort you, and as a result you will feel blessed.  Yet, you must be willing to enter the process, which means your heart will be broken if it isn’t already.  I encourage you to embrace this rebirth of your spirit.  It is the pathway to joy unspeakable.