While death and grief are extremely destabilizing factors in a person's life, ironically, they are the point events at which most wisdom and character is developed and perfected, as the transformation of Job has attested, and Jeremiah discovered when analyzing Jerusalem's fate in Lamentations. As modern Israel is rapidly learning, to rely on fickle allies (or lovers) rather than the protection of Almighty God releases horrendous curses. Ecclesiastes 7:1-5 demonstrates that hardship or sorrow brings about more lasting wisdom and character than mirth and foolishness. Robert Browning Hamilton, in his poem "Along the Road," declares, "You certainly learn a lot when you walk through troubles, even when you have to walk through the valley of the shadow of death." Jesus Christ assures those who mourn (because of personal bitter experience, or sorrow for all the suffering in the world, or a broken heart from contrition) that they shall be comforted or consoled. In II Corinthians 7:8-10, Paul informs us that worldly sorrow leads to death while godly sorrow leads to repentance and life. Indeed, godly sorrow is a primary aspect of repentance. After godly repentance, sorrow is swallowed up in profound joy. As God's called-out saints, we experience great comfort here and now in our relationship with Christ.