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  THE REMEDY FOR SADNESS
  by Mary Wilder Tileston
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Summary: The remedy for sadness lies in prayer and cultivating kindness
through external acts of generosity.

Topics: "Prayer And Kindness", "Overcoming Sadness"
Scripture References: Proverbs 11:25, Galatians 6:2, Ephesians 4:32, Philippians 2:4, Colossians 3:12

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DESCRIPTION
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Mary Wilder Tileston emphasizes the importance of cultivating kindness
in our lives, highlighting how acts of kindness can break the spell of
sadness and self-absorption. She explains that prayer is the remedy for
sadness, but when sadness stems from selfishness, turning to God in
prayer may be met with reluctance. Tileston suggests that breaking out
of sadness can be achieved by engaging in external acts of kindness or
generosity, which help shift the focus away from oneself and towards
others, ultimately freeing the spirit from melancholy.

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CONTENT
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Be ye kind one to another.

EPHESIANS 4:32

The remedy for sadness is prayer. But as sadness broods in selfishness,
and is inclined to rest rather in our own unhappy thoughts than on God,
the soul turns to prayer with reluctance. Hence the saddened one must
first turn to God by vocal prayer, persevering in which that reluctance
will be overcome; and as the sadness subsides, the spirit will enter
anew into the heart of prayer. The second remedy against sadness is to
break out of it by some external act of kindness or generosity. For the
malady consists in a morbid concentration upon one's self, and a
brooding within one's self that repels sympathy and kindness, as being
adverse to this melancholy mood, a mood that can only be cherished in
isolation of spirit. But let the will make a little effort to be kind
and considerate towards another; and it is amazing how soon that
malignant charm is broken that held the soul spellbound to her saddened
thoughts and imaginary grievances. A smile, a kind look, a few gentle
words, a considerate action, though begun with effort, will suffice to
open the soul, and set the spirit free from its delusion. WILLIAM
BERNARD ULLATHORNE

To cultivate kindness is a great part of the business of life.

SAMUEL JOHNSON

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/mary-wilder-tileston/the-remedy-for-sadness/
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