A Time to Mourn, A Time to Dance: Ecclesiastes on Seasons of Life

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, KJV). These iconic words from Ecclesiastes invite us to embrace the ebb and flow of life, understanding that every moment—whether of pain or joy—is ordained and purposeful in God’s plan. The Old Testament teaches us that God does not abandon us in times of mourning nor does He forsake us in our celebration. He is the God of all seasons, and He walks with us through them all.

From the laments of Job to the rejoicing of the psalmists, the Scriptures paint a vivid picture of a life lived fully under God’s watchful eye. In this article, we’ll explore how Ecclesiastes and other Old Testament texts guide us through these seasons, particularly the times to mourn and the times to dance.

Start your spiritual reflection with our Raspberry Oolong Tea—bright, balanced, and soothing. This tea is a perfect companion for meditating on the seasons God sets in our lives. Let each sip ground you in gratitude for both the joys and the trials that shape our walk with Him.

The Purpose in Mourning

Mourning is not weakness—it is sacred. Ecclesiastes 3:4 declares, “A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.” Mourning has its appointed time, and it is as holy and necessary as any other season. In Deuteronomy 34:8, we read, “And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days: so the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended.” God gave His people a specific time to grieve, emphasizing that mourning is not to be rushed, neglected, or ignored. There is divine wisdom in allowing sorrow its full course—thirty days of mourning was not just a cultural practice, but a God-ordained season.

Mourning enables healing. It’s the space where grief can breathe, where pain is not hidden but offered up to God. It also creates room for reflection—on what was lost, what was gained, and how to move forward with purpose. Mourning isn’t an interruption to life; it’s part of the life God calls us to live in truth. Even in the sorrow of loss, God remains present, guiding His people gently through the valley of grief.

The Call to Dance

In the same breath that Ecclesiastes acknowledges mourning, it proclaims, “a time to dance.” This isn't shallow celebration—it’s the deep rejoicing that follows healing, restoration, or answered prayer. The Israelites often danced in worship and praise, as when Miriam led the women with timbrels after crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 15:20). Joy, like mourning, is a response to the movement of God in our lives.

Celebration affirms that God has brought us through the valley. It is a declaration that mourning did not have the final word. In Psalm 30:11, David writes, “Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness.” Dancing, here, is the outward evidence of an inward joy—a heart restored by the goodness of God.

God's Sovereignty Over the Seasons

Ecclesiastes 3 continues with a list of life’s contrasting moments: birth and death, planting and plucking up, keeping and casting away. This balance shows us that God is sovereign over all. Nothing escapes His attention—not the quiet tears in solitude nor the laughter around the feast table.

Isaiah 45:7 reminds us, “I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.” This verse doesn’t suggest God is evil, but rather affirms that He is in control over all that happens—both the seasons we welcome and those we endure. His hand is in it all.

Responding in Faith

How we respond to the seasons of life reveals the depth of our faith. In mourning, we must remember to seek the Lord. Lamentations 3:22-23 says, “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Mourning is bearable only when we anchor ourselves to God's mercy, trusting that He will renew us.

Likewise, in times of dancing and joy, we are called to remember the Lord. Deuteronomy 8:10 instructs, “When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.” Joy is not meant to lead us into pride or forgetfulness but into deeper gratitude and praise.

The Danger of Resisting the Seasons

There is danger in refusing to mourn, just as there is danger in clinging to sorrow and refusing to rejoice. Ecclesiastes 7:2-4 explains that mourning can bring wisdom: “It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting… Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.” When we try to bypass mourning, we bypass the growth and clarity it brings.

Conversely, living in denial of joy—refusing to dance when it is time—robs us of the full experience of God’s goodness. We must honor both ends of the spectrum, trusting that God is in the orchestration of every season.

A Life in Harmony with God’s Timing

A faithful life is not one free of sorrow or full of constant celebration—it is one that flows in harmony with God's appointed times. Like Israel following the cloud by day and the fire by night, we are called to move with God, not ahead of Him or behind Him.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 assures us, “He hath made every thing beautiful in his time.” Not in our time, but in His. That beauty includes the sorrow that deepens our dependence and the joy that magnifies His faithfulness. When we align with God's timing, we are not tossed by life’s circumstances. Instead, we are anchored in divine purpose.

Sip, Reflect, Embrace

In conclusion, the wisdom of Ecclesiastes is a gift to those navigating the highs and lows of life. God has appointed a time for everything, and in each time, He is near. Whether you are weeping or dancing, sowing or reaping, be assured that God sees, knows, and walks with you.

As you reflect on these seasons, take a moment with a warm cup of our Raspberry Oolong Tea. Let the robust notes mirror the richness of life’s journey and the balance of sorrow and joy. End your day grounded in the truth that every season has its place—and that God is faithful through them all.

In mourning, He comforts. In dancing, He rejoices with you. Embrace both.