Recently something I wrote in one of my newsletters was taken out of context by a person who received the newsletter. She made assumptions and said some hurtful things to me, without knowing the full details or asking for information. This occurrence caused me to think about how easy misunderstandings and judgmental comments can happen. I responded to the email with the best intentions of trying to resolve the situation, along with a sincere apology but the person who had sent her angry comments to me did not respond. Since there was no response, all I could do was turn the matter over to God and pray for the person who sent me the message.

Have you ever said or done something that was misunderstood by someone? If so, how did you handle the situation?

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the word, “Bittersweet” is defined as “being at once bitter and sweet, especially pleasant but including or marked by elements of suffering or regret.”

Basically, a bittersweet feeling is a mixed emotional state combining happiness and sadness at the same time. It represents joy of a memory, tempered by sadness that it has now passed.

Since the passing of my husband, I have had many bittersweet memories that included being at certain places where the two of us had gone, and thinking about certain things that occurred during the years we spent together as husband and wife.

My husband’s recent birthday was one of those days filled with bittersweet memories. It helped to talk about him and focus on the happy times we used to share.

Although some of the bittersweet memories have brought me to tears, they have also helped in my emotional healing as I continue to walk a new path without him.

Have there been any bittersweet moments in your life recently? If so, how did you cope with them?

We all have days, weeks, or sometimes even months when we feel sad due to unexpected things that occur in our life. A feeling of sadness is normal, especially during the loss of someone we love. Sickness, financial difficulties, or relationships that have gone sour can also cause us to feel sad. However, if those feelings linger too long, despair and depression can take over. God’s Word has plenty to say on this topic. For instance, one of my favorite Bible verses, which is found in Proverbs 17:22 (NIV) says: “A cheerful heart is good medicine; but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

We don’t feel well emotionally, or physically, when we are sad all the time. It’s harder to function when despair sets in. Positive thoughts are replaced with negative ones, and a feeling of hopelessness can drag us down spiritually.

The Bible also has something to say about what we should do when sadness lingers too long or we are in a negative mood. Philippians 4:8 (KJV) says: “Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report: if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Here’s what I do when I’m absorbed in sadness for too long: I pray, spend time in God’s Word, sing praise songs, spend time with positive people who make me smile and laugh, and focus on beautiful things God created, like a sunrise, sunset, birds chirping happily in my yard, and the list goes on.

What do you do when sadness takes over for too long? Is there something special that brings joy back into your life?