Sorrow

Now therefore keep thy sorrow to thyself, and bear with a good courage that which hath befallen thee. 2 Esdras 10:15

Ever run into someone who has every reason to be sorrowful and unhappy, but unless you knew the circumstances you would never know the person had a trouble in the world? They weren’t in self-denial he/she simply refused to allow his/her problems get in the way of life. You find yourself muttering how does he/she do it. I know a little bit about troubles, and I assure you that sharing them brings little comfort to the hearer.

I believe such people know a “secret” that only life can teach us – that the terrible guest in our personal house (trouble) brings with it a gift. Trouble brings us, if we accept it, the boon of fortitude, patience, self-control, wisdom, sympathy, and faith. If we reject trouble’s gift we find we are overwhelmed by other gifts trouble brings – weakness, isolation, and despair. So when trouble knocks, be mindful not to let any of its burden rest on another’s shoulders. Though your heart may be sad, let cheer go out from your voice and appearance. Meet everyone with a kindly presence, considerate words, and helpful acts. Yes, even trouble no matter how severe, brings with it blessings.

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About the author

Webb Hubbell is the former Associate Attorney General of The United States. His novels, When Men Betray, Ginger Snaps, A Game of Inches, The Eighteenth Green, and The East End are published by Beaufort Books and are available online or at your local bookstore. When Men Betray won one of the IndieFab awards for best novel in 2014. Ginger Snaps and The Eighteenth Green won the IPPY Awards Gold Medal for best suspense/thriller. His latest, “Light of Day” will be on the bookstands soon.