One of the characteristic effects of godly sadness is its consoling gentleness, which paradoxically removes from mourning and affliction their painful character and appears as a clear sign of divine assistance and the presence of grace within the soul.
Thus St John Chrysostom observes: “The fruit [of] groans is great, and great is their persuasive and consoling gentleness…Indeed, constant groaning produces consolation.” And St John Climacus writes: “The abyss of mourning has seen comfort…Divine succour is the renewal of a soul depressed by grief which, in a wonderful way, transforms painful tears into painless ones.”
This naturally accords with the teaching of Christ: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted”…
~Dr. Jean-Claude Larchet (Therapy of Spiritual Illnesses vol.3, p.66)
Prayerful Life 