The prospect of death makes one more mature, self-aware, and wise, illuminating the meaning of Solomon's counsel in Ecclesiastes 7:2-4 that it is better to go into the house of mourning, and that by a sad countenance the heart is made better. Because mortal life ends in death, the wise will prudently prepare for it, realizing the sad and sorrowful events God uses to circumcise the hearts of the saints. The beatitudes in Matthew 5 emphasize a continuous pattern of sorrow swallowed up in comfort and joy. To exercise godliness, we must grieve over the consequences of our sins and the nations sins. Paul teaches us in II Corinthians 7:10 to choose godly sorrow which leads to repentance rather than worldly sorrow which leads to discouragement and despair. Affliction, initially painful, leads to joyful course correction (Psalm 119:67, 71). Those who faithfully sigh and cry for the abominations committed in this world are promised a protective mark from God Almighty (Ezekiel 9:4) guarding them from the curses given to those who accept Satan's mark of the Beast. We are admonished to number our days (Psalm 90:12) in order to gain a heart of wisdom. Because none of us knows the amount of time we have been allotted, we must treat each day as a treasure, using the pain of loss to change, putting our sins behind us, living each day as it could be our last, realizing that if we take part in Christ's sufferings, we will also partake in His glory (I Peter 4:1-2).