INTRODUCTION

Most people would readily admit that they would rather laugh than cry. Yet, these are not God’s thoughts concerning the matter (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 seems much more enjoyable than sorrow, yet life’s lessons are learned much faster from sorrow than they are from amusement. Sorrow teaches us and molds us into better servants for the Lord. This does not mean that laughter is evil or harmful. It simply means that from God’s perspective, sorrow is a much better teacher. Solomon bluntly spoke of what he knew concerning 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.... The Bible says that Solomon gave himself to mirth and pleasure. In the end, he found this mirth and pleasure to be vain.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Even though we don’t necessarily 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...). His ongoing troubles also caused him to turn to God’s word and learn it (Psalm 119:71It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
  See All...).
• (For everyone): 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

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