Blessed Are Those Who Mourn

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” ~ Jesus¹

Let’s face it—mourning is something we tend to avoid whenever possible. It makes us uncomfortable—even vulnerable. We embrace all kinds of coping mechanisms to numb the pain, preferring to go around it rather than through it.

Even worship services in the West often prioritize songs of triumph over songs of lament—never mind that the Psalms are filled with both. Yet Jesus flips our script once again and calls those who mourn blessed. How can this be?

Mourning as a Mark of the Kingdom

Consider the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. He emerged from the wilderness proclaiming, “Repent, the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”² Shortly after, He preached His inaugural sermon³ and defined the characteristics of those in His kingdom—the Beatitudes.⁴

Could mourning, then, be a sign of the kingdom within us?

Notice how the Beatitudes build upon one another. Only those who are poor in spirit recognize their brokenness and need for God. As a result, we mourn our sin and the brokenness of the world. Mourning, then, can be a sign of God’s transformational work within us, causing us to grieve what grieves Him.

Mourning Our Sin

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”
James 4:8-10, ESV

“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.
Joel 2:12-13, ESV

Grieving our sin is the natural response of a believer whose heart has been transformed by the gospel. The closer we get to Jesus, the more aware we become of sin in our lives. But His conviction is not a sentence of condemnation or shame—His conviction is a clarion call to freedom.⁵

It’s an invitation into the cleansing presence of God, where we humble ourselves in repentance and seek His mercy, grace, and forgiveness.

Mourning the State of the World

Mourning isn’t just about our own sin. Whether it’s the death of a loved one, the betrayal of a friend, disease and disability, or the loss of a dream, much of our grief stems from others or from living in a broken world.

The world is not as it should be, but we do not mourn like the world, as those without hope.

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 34:18, ESV

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:16-18, ESV

“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
Romans 5:3-5, ESV

We look forward to the day of comfort, when the kingdom is fully established on earth as it is in heaven, and God Himself wipes away every tear. Then, we shall be comforted.

The Fruit of Mourning

Suffering has refining qualities. Just as gold is refined by fire, the believer is purified by the trials of life. God never wastes anything. As we sow in tears—remaining faithful through our pain—He promises that we will reap a harvest of joy.⁶

But this isn’t just about us.

Mourning also produces the fruit of compassion. It grants us the capacity to mourn with those who mourn and weep with those who weep.⁷ We were never meant to walk alone.

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NLT

Comfort Is Coming

Whatever you’re going through, remember—God has not abandoned you. Often, the only way out is through. Trust that He walks with you, carrying you when you can no longer walk another step.

You are not alone. You are seen. And you are loved. So, bring your tears to the One who truly understands and allow His comfort to sustain you.

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy is coming.⁸ And so is He.

Prayer

Lord, it’s not easy to believe You are close when I can’t see or feel You through the pain. Help me trust Your Word—that You are near to the brokenhearted. Transform my heart to grieve what grieves You and to rejoice in what brings You joy. Give me courage to endure and grace to place my hope not in my circumstances, but in You alone.

Reflection Questions

What situations in your life have caused you to mourn recently?
How have you experienced God’s comfort in seasons of grief or repentance?
Are there areas of sin in your life that God is gently calling you to grieve and surrender?
How can your own experience of mourning equip you to comfort and support others?