This lesson is a continuation of the series, “Attitudes of the Heart.”

In times of fun and pleasure (think Six Flags!), our focus is rarely on things of greater importance; especially things like sorrow or loss or pain. That probably seems obvious, but the truth is that each of these things (or events) play a significant role in our lives. As dark clouds bring the rain that creates growth for the earth, so do the dark clouds of life bring growth and maturity into our lives.

The writer of Ecclesiastes said, “There is a time to weep and a time to laugh, and a time to mourn and a time to dance.” And in the 34th Psalm, the writer says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

In this lesson, Mike reveals three distinct areas that we can grow and mature as individuals in the presence of a “breaking heart.”

It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart. Frustration is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.
Ecclesiastes 7:2-4 (NIV)

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
2 Corinthians 7:10 (NIV)

“Your turned my wailing into dancing…”
Psalm 30:11 (NIV)