Few go looking for trouble and still fewer seek sorrow as their lot. Life being what it is, there will always be conflicts and afflictions, bad luck or loss, that usually mean we will encounter sadness.

The writer of Ecclesiastes had this down pat, it being one of the wisdom books, he necessarily takes a forlorn view of life and human nature. It doesn't make for a cheery read, though his final conclusions are sound enough.

Ecclesiastes 7:3 says "Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us" (Living Bible). Most people would opt for laughter any day of the week in preference to feeling down, but the writer is nevertheless correct.

It is only in moments of sorrow that we can see through the fluff and chatter of life down to the core of what really matters - relationships like friends and family, food and shelter, love, God. Not everyone will agree with me on that, but the winnowing down of the extraneous will almost always lead to deeper thoughts about what is really important in life.

I don't wish it on anyone, but when it comes - the looming darkness for a week or a month or a year - look for whatever lessons may come along too. And don't give up hope.