Mourning expresses the grief we feel when we have lost somebody or something precious.  We usually associate it with death.  However, the most disastrous loss is our relationship with God; every sin spoils and kills its joyful transparency.  The only way back is through repentance - grieving the loss of our relationship with Him; and confession - an intentional act of mourning as we admit the offence we have caused to God.  That kind of mourning is the entry point for blessing, removing the curse of separation, so that we may receive forgiveness and grace to start a new life (Psalm 32:1-11).  

There are two types of mourning - described in 2 Corinthians 7:10 as 'godly' and 'worldly' sorrow: "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death."  'Worldly sorrow' is a hopeless grief (1 Thessalonians 4:13) rooted in the belief that our future is only in this world, and therefore every loss is a tragedy which diminishes our destiny.  'Godly sorrow' comes from the belief that God is sovereign ... and therefore it is safe and good to be willing to count all things as loss for the sake of Christ (Philippians 3:7-9).  Jim Elliot, the 20thC martyred missionary pilot said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain that which he cannot lose.”

The comfort of the Lord is a very secure blessing (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).  It is a deep inner assurance that although we place no confidence in ourselves, our achievements, our reputation, our friends or our possessions ... nevertheless, we are safe in Christ.  This comfort is made all the more real to us as we read the Scriptures (Psalm 119:50; Romans 15:4).  More than that, the Holy Spirit, who is the Comforter, comes to live within those who despair of their own virtue and ask for His grace (John 14:16-18).  So, the greatest blessing to all who mourn their failure, and reject worldly solutions, is the restored presence of the living God within us ... to assure us that we are fully loved, never forsaken and always provided for – whatever our circumstances.

Naturally, we would rather be happy than sad.  The world offers many diversions to catch our attention and offers happiness instead of righteousness.  But there is no blessing there, nor any lasting comfort.  It is a divine paradox that the way forward after sin is not by 'forgetting it and moving on' but by going back to resolve past sin by repentance and confession - bringing it to the cross of Christ.  Yet, when earthly things are taken away, the way forward is not to go back to them but to walk on with Christ, assured of His comfort and blessing.  So, today's little verse is packed with challenge and decisions to make if we are to rejoice in His comfort.  Two questions may help: what sin is still outstanding and needs to be taken to the cross of Christ; and, what earthly things do we wrongly mourn (like Lot's wife: Genesis 19:26)?