Birds of Sorrow
An old Chinese proverb states "You cannot prevent the birds of sorrow from flying over your head, but you can prevent them from building nests in your hair."
That is a nice way of telling us that we must not wallow in sorrow and self-pity. Life gives everyone enough to sigh and cry about—but sighing and crying never solved any problem. Job noted that life was short and full of troubles (Job 14:1). He came to the point in his life where he was reduced to illness and sitting on a pile of ashes scratching himself. Job had plenty to be sorrowful about.
Our lives are not usually as traumatic as Job’s was. Our birds of sorrow do not usually come in flocks. Yet, just as Job learned to look beyond his sorrow, we too must fix our gaze on our Redeemer and Helper. Paul, who also had birds of sorrow circling him, found the solution. He wrote “Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer” (Romans 12:12). The key is to turn to God when we are in need. If we remain close to Him, then the birds will leave.
Course Content
Robert Berendt
Ambassador grad 1970. Pastor in Canada and Germany retired in 2017. On the Council of UCG-Canada and COE of UCGIA. Wife Valerie is British. Four adult children, 14 grandchildren and 7 great.
