INTRODUCTION

If the average person were asked whether they would rather laugh or cry, the answer would be obvious. Yet, our thoughts are not always in line with God’s thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9 [8] For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. [9] For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
See All...). According to the Bible, "Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better" (Ecclesiastes 7:3Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
See All...). Laughter is much more enjoyable than sorrow, but we learn very little in laughter. Sorrow, on the other hand, teaches us and molds us into better servants for our Lord. This is by no means to say that laughter is evil or harmful, but that sorrow is better from God’s perspective. Solomon spoke of laughter in Ecclesiastes 2:1-2 [1] I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity. [2] I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?
See All.... He gave himself to mirth and pleasure, but in the end found it to be vain.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For smaller children) Even though we don't like sorrow, it brings us closer to God. When the psalmist found troubles and sorrow, he prayed (Psalm 116:3-4 [3] The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. [4] Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
  See All...). Troubles also caused him to learn the word of God (Psalm 119:71It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
  See All...).
• Laughter is enjoyable, but often ends in heaviness (Proverbs 14:13Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.
  See All...). In what ways does laughter offer a temporary escape from the cares of the world?
• How is sorrow a better teacher than laughter? What are some times of sorrow in your life where you learned the most? What are some times of laughter where you learned?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to help you see things from His perspective.
• Ask the Lord to give you laughter and sorrow in His time.

HYMN

My Times of Sorrow and of Joy

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