Sometimes life is full of sorrow, regret, and pain. It sucks. We’ve all been through tough times…and there are certainly more coming down the road somewhere. Some of us are in tough times right now.
However, there is a difference between “worldly sorrow” and “Godly sorrow”. Here’s what Paul has to say on the subject…
I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while. Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death. (2 Corinthians 7:8-10, NLT)
When I read this passage this morning it took me by surprise…can’t remember this teaching even though I’ve read it several times. And it’s timely based on some of the discussions I’ve had in the past week with some people who are going through some pain and sorrow in their lives. Here are a few things I take notice of in this passage:
- God allows pain and sorrow in our lives in order to change us…it has purpose…it leads to salvation.
- Worldly sorrow leads to our death…spiritual death.
- The difference? Our attitude and reaction. If we respond with repentance then it’s Godly sorrow…otherwise it’s worldly sorrow.
- God wants us to have some sorrow/pain in our lives because He wants to change us…to mold us into the image of Christ.
Does any of this make our pain and sorrow easier when we are in the middle of it? Not likely. But it is an important reminder that our attitude and response in the midst of our pain will determine the end result. Will we allow God to shape us and grow spiritually? Or will we be stubborn and unrepentant and end up dying spiritually?
The choice is ours…
Post Tags: 2 Corinthians, Pain, Sorrow
