Hard times for folks

We know these folks that have lost their baby less than a month from the due date. S.A.D. I can't fathom the loss and while we've lost babies by way of miscarriage, this seems miles different. It was the Saturday before the horrible news, they were at church with more than 50 giddy, giggly, oogling women celebrating this baby. Monday...my wife and I are about to leave for birthday shopping and we get a call from the pastor of our church telling us that the doctors couldn't find our friends baby's heart beat. What?!!?

Things and news like this that hits close to home hurts. It's times like this when you understand a little better what it means by "Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another" ..

But, the question I have is why is it so much easier to get closer to someone and have perspectives become so clear when it is mourning instead of rejoicing? At least, it seems that way to me. Here's a little of my research for what it's worth.

Ecclesiastes says, "It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart."

The reformation Bible says it this way - "A funeral provides an indispensable perspective on the universally terminal condition."

Matthew Henry further comments on the Ecclesiastical passage - "It will do us more good, and make better impressions upon us. We may lawfully go to both, as there is occasion. Our Saviour both feasted at the wedding of his friend in Cana and wept at the grave of his friend in Bethany; and we may possibly glorify God, and do good, and get good, in the house of feasting; but, considering how apt we are to be vain and frothy, proud and secure, and indulgent of the flesh, it is better for us to go to the house of mourning, not to see the pomp of the funeral, but to share in the sorrow of it, and to learn good lessons, both from the dead, who is going thence to his long home, and from the mourners, who go about the streets."

Ecclesiastes also has this to say -
"Sorrow is better than laughter,
for by sadness of face the heart is made glad.
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,
but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth."

Why is it that the hard things are what's best? Why can't we be in better physical condition from sitting on the couch watching football than playing it? Why do the foods that taste the "worst" typically offer more nutritional value? Why is it that working hard at something is more rewarding than if something falls in your lap? Why is sorrow better than laughter?

Booker T. Washington said, “Nothing ever comes to one, that is worth having, except as a result of hard work.”

Being sad is hard work..