How Long Wilt Thou Mourn?

How Long Wilt Thou Mourn? A Biblical Path Out of Grief, Disappointment, and Stagnation There are seasons in life when mourning is unavoidable. A loved one is lost. A relationship collapses. A calling does not unfold as hoped. A year ends carrying more sorrow than joy. Scripture never denies the reality of grief. God Himself allows seasons of mourning, and He meets His people in them. Yet the Bible is equally clear about something many believers struggle to hear: mourning is meant to be a season, not a permanent dwelling place. In How Long Wilt Thou Mourn?, veteran pastor and Bible teacher Marvin McKenzie walks carefully through one of the most tender passages in the Old Testament—God's words to the prophet Samuel in 1 Samuel 16:1. Samuel was mourning deeply over King Saul's spiritual collapse. Though Saul had never been the man God ultimately intended to lead Israel, Samuel loved him, prayed for him, and hoped for his usefulness. When Saul's repeated disobedience led to divine rejection, Samuel's heart broke. Scripture tells us plainly, "Nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul." God allowed that sorrow—for a time. But then the Lord spoke a question that still echoes today: "How long wilt thou mourn?" This book is not about suppressing grief or pretending pain does not exist. It is about listening when God speaks into sorrow and learning how His Word gently but firmly calls His servants forward again. Drawing directly from the biblical text and written in a warm, pastoral voice, this book unfolds a clear, Scripture-based path out of prolonged mourning: • Recognizing when grief has exceeded its God-given purpose • Preparing again for usefulness after disappointment • Obeying God even when the future is unclear • Trusting that God has already provided what comes next Through the story of Samuel, readers will discover that God never asks His people to move forward without first preparing the way. While Samuel mourned Saul, God was already preparing David. While grief focused on what was lost, God's purpose was quietly moving ahead. This book speaks especially to believers who feel stalled—those who know God's Word is true but find themselves emotionally stuck between yesterday's loss and tomorrow's obedience. It offers biblical clarity without harshness, encouragement without sentimentality, and hope grounded firmly in Scripture. If you have ever wondered whether it is time to move on, whether obedience can really heal sorrow, or whether God still has work for you after disappointment, this book will meet you where you are and point you forward through the Word of God. Mourning is normal. Staying there is not. And once you're out, you'll be glad you're out.