Leading The Way - Week of January 10, Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef

Leading The Way - Week of January 10

January 10, 2022

Those Who Mourn

By Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

If you were to name the antithesis of happiness, mourning might be a good choice. When we think of mourning, we think of loss—the loss of dreams, opportunities, or loved ones. But Jesus says, “Blessed are those who mourn” (Matthew 5:4). But it’s not just any mourning He’s talking about; it’s mourning over our sin. It’s the natural response to the discovery of our brokenness. That’s why mourning follows poverty of spirit in Jesus’ superstructure of the beatitudes. When we realize our desperate need for God and see the sin in our lives that has kept us from Him, we will mourn.

But why does mourning over our sin make us happy or blessed? Because when we mourn our sin, we can experience the comfort, joy, and strength of God’s forgiveness. When we confess and mourn over our failures and shortcomings, the comfort that Jesus gives is sweeter than words can describe.

It sounds strange, but it’s true: Jesus tells us the way to happiness is sadness, and the road to rejoicing is mourning. This is foolishness to the world. Until you come to the cross, you can’t see it; you can’t comprehend it. The apostle John put it this way, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9)—and that is all the reason in the world to be happy.

Prayer: God, help me to see my sin and to mourn it. As I humble myself, I know You will lift me up in Your lovingkindness. Thank You that you promise to forgive me and purify me as I confess my sins to You in humble repentance. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matthew 5:4).

Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon Happiness Is in You, Part 2: LISTEN NOW | WATCH NOW

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About Leading The Way

Along with partners committed to changing the world, Dr. Michael Youssef is leading the way for people living in spiritual darkness to discover the light of Christ. By passionately proclaiming uncompromising Truth through print, web, television, and radio, this international team of experts is uniquely providing hope that is revolutionizing lives at home — and around the world.

What began as a small local radio ministry in 1988 has grown into an international ministry reaching millions for Christ — including a vast audience in the Muslim world seeking Truth in closed countries. Leading The Way's television and radio programs are broadcast in more than 28 languages to audiences across six continents. Leading The Way also produces DVDs, CDs, books, a monthly devotional magazine, solar-powered Navigators, and daily e-devotionals to spread the light of Christ. In 2009, the ministry launched its own 24/7 satellite TV channel, reaching the Muslim world with Gospel programming in English, Arabic, French, and Indonesian. Leading The Way utilizes field teams to evangelize and disciple viewers in closed countries and help persecuted Christians on the ground.

Dr. Youssef and the Leading The Way staff are committed to sharing the Gospel with the lost and equipping believers to grow into a deeper walk with Christ. Learn how you can partner with this unique ministry today.

About Dr. Michael Youssef

Michael Youssef, Ph.D., is the Founder and President of Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef, a worldwide ministry that leads the way for people living in spiritual darkness to discover the light of Christ through the creative use of media and field ministry teams. His weekly television programs and daily radio programs are broadcast more than 13,000 times per week in multiple languages throughout the world. He is also the founding pastor of The Church of The Apostles in Atlanta, Georgia.

Dr. Youssef was born in Egypt and lived in Lebanon and Australia before coming to the United States. In 1984, he fulfilled a childhood dream of becoming an American citizen. Dr. Youssef holds degrees from Moore College in Sydney, Australia; Fuller Theological Seminary in California; and a Ph.D. in social anthropology from Emory University. He has authored more than 50 books, including popular titles Saving Christianity?, Hope for This Present Crisis, Life-Changing Prayers, and Never Give Up. He and his wife reside in Atlanta and have four grown children and 11 grandchildren.