The Cause and Remedies of Sadness

by Cardinal Angel Herrera Oria

There are many causes of sadness; we may note just a few:

Lack of mortification of the passions:  This makes many souls impatient, incapable of putting up with any inconvenience, especially from their neighbour. They become unsociable and if they do meet with others they are brusque and domineering. There is no peace within their hearts and they lack peace of mind and tranquillity. There is no true joy in the man who allows his passions free play.

Attachment to material things:  This, according to St. Augustine, is one of the most frequent causes of sadness. The man who lives for God alone will find himself at peace and with a great joy because he is free from this type of sadness.

Pride:  While pride reigns in your hearts, you can be sure that you will never be without sadness and melancholy, because there will be so many occasions which will cause them; thus you will live in constant torment. Many times it is not the work or the difficulty of our state which impedes us, because there are many more difficulties than we have ever dreamed of in some of those offices which we desire and crave, no, it is that pride which makes us desire honours.

Not doing the will of God:  This is one of the most frequent causes of sadness - not to do that which each one should according to his state of life: The exact fulfilment of our daily duties brings with it a great and a lasting peace, while the contrary makes us feel sad and disappointed. God himself has told us that sin is a cause of sadness: In the case of Cain the sin was clear from his very look (Genesis 4). It is a natural law: There is no pain so great as that of a guilty conscience.

Remedies against sadness:

The practice of virtue:  He who always does the will of God has within him the cure for sadness. St. Ambrose says: He who practises virtue is always tranquil, content and stable. God reserves for him the precious gift of peace and joy. Virtuous hearts are not moved by the things of this earth, they are not troubled by fear, worn out by sadness or tormented by pain.

Confidence in God:  God knows the evil which afflicts us and he is all-powerful to help us. His mercy is always ready and willing to succour us (Psalms 41).

Prayer:  The remedy suggested by James: Is one of you unhappy? Let him fall to prayer (James 5). Prayer is our means of communicating with Heaven, the dwelling-place and source of all happiness, without any admixture of sadness. This prayer has the power to draw down from Heaven the divine consolations.

The thought of Heaven:  This helps considerably to drive away sadness of heart. It lightens the burden of this life when we consider that it is an exile which leads to our real home. We are on our way home all the time and the journey is not really a long one.

Despise the things of this world:  This means that we should use them as God intends them to be used, with discretion and moderation, as a means of living. But they should never fill our heart and soul with disquiet. We have not been created for creatures but for God.

The love of work:  Work is a source of great joy and well-being for all. On the contrary, laziness is the source of all vice and brings sadness with it for that very reason.