True Comfort for the Mourners?

Matthew 5:4

Jesus says those who mourn will be happy and blessed because they'll be comforted. This is good news, but to what kind of mourners does it apply? Just anybody who is sad?

People mourn at the death or their loss of a loved one. We may not realize it, but we also mourn when our dreams don't come true, or when someone fails to keep a promise.

What about the sorry-for-our-sins, the true repentance that comes upon us when we realize that we have fallen far short of God's lovely and perfect standard of holiness; we deserve His wrath and punishment? I know from other passages that God does appreciate that kind of sadness or mourning. In fact He often calls for it.

It is when we are really ready to admit our guilt and shame that we are ready to accept (or reject) his offer of forgiveness and wholeness. When we do, the relief, the joy, and the comfort are tremendous blessings. God really does comfort us then!

By His Holy Spirit He comforts us too, if we are His adopted children, when we are bereaved or deeply hurt and disappointed.

Oddly enough, it is only after we have been comforted by God, that we can empathize with others' pain, and offer them any measure of comfort. This way, God's comfort is not just a pat on the head or a kiss to make it better, but a real blessed happiness that we can pass on to others as a valuable gift.

P.S. You don't really have time, do you, to read on the couch, but if you're like me, you do read snatches on the run, and somehow make time to read a GOOD book completely?

So how can you be sure this Ruthe in the book is not some kook? Read the six sample chapters.