Expressing Pain and Sorrow

In this passage from the Institutes, Calvin explains that Christians ought to give expression to their pain and sorrow. To experience sadness in this world and to just "keep a stiff upper lip" is not a Christian practice, according to this one who experienced much pain, sorrow, and grief in this life.

"We have nothing to do with this iron philosophy [of Stoicism] which our Lord and Master has condemned not only by his word, but also by his example. For he groaned and wept both over his own and others' misfortunes. And he taught his disciples in the same way: 'The world,' he says, 'will rejoice; but you will be sorrowful and will weep' [John 16:20]. And that no one might turn it into a vice, he openly proclaimed, 'Blessed are those who mourn' [Matt. 5:4]. No wonder! For if all weeping is condemned, what shall we judge concerning the Lord himself, from whose body tears of blood trickled down [Luke 22:44]? If all fear is branded as unbelief, how shall we account for that dread with which, we read, he was heavily stricken [Matt. 26:37; Mark 14:33]? If all sadness displeases us, how will it please us that he confesses his soul 'sorrowful even to death' [Matt. 26:38]? . . .

"Thus it will come to pass that, by whatever kind of cross we may be troubled, even in the greatest tribulations of mind, we shall firmly keep our patience. For the adversities themselves will have their bitterness to gnaw at us; thus afflicted by disease, we shall both groan and be uneasy and pant after health; thus pressed by poverty, we shall be pricked by the arrows of care and sorrow; thus we shall be smitten by the pain of disgrace, contempt, injustice; thus at the funerals of our dear ones we shall weep the tears that are owed to our nature. But the conclusion will always be: the Lord so willed, therefore let us follow his will. Indeed, amid the very pricks of pain, amid groaning and tears, this thought must intervene: to incline our heart to bear cheerfully those things which have so moved it."