1. Nehemiah 2:2 Therefore the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This is nothing but sorrow of heart.” So I became dreadfully afraid…

2. 2 Corinthians 6:5 4 But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, 5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; 6 by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, 7 by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8 by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

3. “Why Is Your Face Sad?” Powerful lessons to help us to avoid or overcome sadness in our lives.

4. Jonathan 1 Sam. 20:17-34 1 Sam. 20:17-34 – Jonathan was saddened because of his father’s desire to kill David 1 Sam. 20:35-42 Jonathan conquered his sorrow by being a true friend to David and standing for what was right – 1 Sam. 20:35-42 cf. Rom. 12:9; John 13:34-35 We must learn to practice a sincere love—the kind of love Jesus commanded of us – cf. Rom. 12:9; John 13:34-35

5. Ahab 1 Kings 21:1-4 1 Kings 21:1-4 – Ahab was afflicted with a sadness born of his own covetousness 1 Kings 21:5-29 Jezebel did evil, as often the case with unchecked covetousness, on behalf of Ahab and there was great consequence – 1 Kings 21:5-29 cf. Heb. 13:5-6; Phil. 4:11 “Happiness is found from within, not from without” – cf. Heb. 13:5-6; Phil. 4:11

6. The Rich Young Ruler Matt. 19:16-22 Matt. 19:16-22 – The rich young ruler turned from Christ in sadness Matt. 19:23-30 Unlike Ahab, his wasn’t an issue of covetousness, but an issue of lordship – Matt. 19:23-30 cf. Luke 14:26-33; Matt. 6:24 We need to once-for-all decide Who, or what, is truly the Lord in our lives! Sadness comes from trying to serve two masters! – cf. Luke 14:26-33; Matt. 6:24

7. Peter Luke 22:31-34 Luke 22:31-34 – Peter was rightfully saddened because he had denied his Lord as he was told he would Luke 22:54-62 When the moment of truth came, Peter faced an intense guilt – Luke 22:54-62 cf. John 21:15-19; Psa. 51:1-17 We should feel the same guilt Peter felt when we deny Jesus, but rather than wallow in guilt, turn to Him ready to bear fruits worthy of repentance – cf. John 21:15-19; Psa. 51:1-17

8. Ecclesiastes 7:1-4 1 A good name is better than precious ointment, And the day of death than the day of one’s birth; 2 Better to go to the house of mourning Than to go to the house of feasting, For that is the end of all men; And the living will take it to heart. 3 Sorrow is better than laughter, For by a sad countenance the heart is made better. 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, But the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

9. Revelation 21:2-4 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”