Unhappiness

A sense of despondency or sadness, often linked with disappointment or loss. Scripture documents human unhappiness in response to a number of situations, while recalling God's unhappiness over the folly and rebelliousness of sinful humanity.

Unhappiness as the result of adverse circumstances

Psalm 90:10; Matthew 26:21–22 parallel Mark 14:19 See also Genesis 26:34–35, Genesis 40:6–7, Genesis 42:24; 1 Samuel 1:8, 1 Samuel 1:15; Nehemiah 1:4, Nehemiah 2:1–3 Artaxerxes queries Nehemiah's sadness; Job 17:7, Job 30:25; Psalm 10:1, Psalm 13:2, Psalm 31:9; Proverbs 17:21, Proverbs 17:25; Isaiah 19:8–10; Jeremiah 45:3

The length of our days is seventy years — or eighty if we are strong — yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

And while they were eating, He said to them, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray Me.” They were deeply grieved and began to ask Him one after another, “Surely not I, Lord?”

Unhappiness caused by loss

2 Samuel 19:1; John 16:5–6 Jesus Christ had just foretold his departure. See also Genesis 38:12, Genesis 42:38, Genesis 48:7; 2 Samuel 1:26, 2 Samuel 14:2; Joel 1:8; Matthew 17:23; Luke 22:45, Luke 24:17; John 20:11 Mary weeps at Jesus Christ's tomb; Acts 20:38; Philippians 2:27; 1 Thessalonians 4:13

Then it was reported to Joab, “The king is weeping and mourning over Absalom.”

Now, however, I am going to Him who sent Me; yet none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ Instead, your hearts are filled with sorrow because I have told you these things.

Unhappiness over failure and sin

Ezekiel 9:4; 1 Corinthians 5:1–2 See also Numbers 14:39; Judges 20:26, Judges 21:6; 1 Samuel 2:33; Nehemiah 8:9–11; Psalm 88:1–9, Psalm 107:39; Lamentations 1:4–5; Ezekiel 21:6–7; Zechariah 12:10; Matthew 27:3 Judas seized with remorse at his betrayal of Jesus Christ; Luke 22:62; Romans 9:2; 2 Corinthians 2:2–5, 2 Corinthians 7:8–11

“Go throughout the city of Jerusalem,” said the LORD, “and put a mark on the foreheads of the men sighing and groaning over all the abominations committed there.”

It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is intolerable even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife. And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been stricken with grief and have removed from your fellowship the man who did this?

Unhappiness caused by a person's own selfishness

1 Timothy 6:10 See also 1 Kings 21:4; Esther 6:12; Proverbs 23:29–30; Matthew 19:22 parallels Mark 10:22, Luke 18:23

For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

Jesus Christ knew unhappiness

John 11:35 See also Matthew 26:38 parallel Mark 14:34; John 11:33, John 12:27, John 13:21

Jesus wept.

God also grieves

Genesis 6:6–7 Prior to the flood; Ephesians 4:30 See also Genesis 18:20; 1 Samuel 15:11, 1 Samuel 15:35; 2 Samuel 24:16; Psalm 78:40; Isaiah 63:10; Jeremiah 42:10

And the LORD regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the LORD said, “I will blot out man, whom I have created, from the face of the earth — every man and beast and crawling creature and bird of the air — for I am grieved that I have made them.”

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

God's remedy for unhappiness

Lamentations 3:32–33; 1 Peter 1:6 See also Psalm 6:7–8, Psalm 10:14, Psalm 31:9, Psalm 116:1–6; Isaiah 35:10, Isaiah 51:11, Isaiah 60:20, Isaiah 61:1–3; Jeremiah 8:18, Jeremiah 31:12–13; John 16:20–22

Even if He causes grief, He will show compassion according to His abundant loving devotion. For He does not willingly afflict or grieve the sons of men.

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials