Godly vs. Worldly Sorrow

Scripture: Yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 2 Corinthians 7:9-10

Observation: Paul is directly addressing the impact to the church of Corinth of his first letter. His direct rebuke and instruction hurt them. Yet, in his words they also found truth, and took action to correct their ways. They were filled with sorrow to have been so harshly corrected by Paul, then were filled with sorrow due to the truth of that correction and thus their desire to do better in their faith, and in that sorrow they acted.

Feeling hurt by Paul's words is a worldly sorrow ... it is about caring what others think. Feeling hurt by the truth that they had not properly practices justice, unity, faith, and obedience is godly sorrow ... it is about caring what God thinks.

Application: Every time I get down and depressed and frustrated and angry - as I have been for the last couple of weeks - this is EXACTLY the issue. I am feeling worldly sorrow. I feel angry about what people have done, hurt about how they feel, frustrated about the earthly perceptions of my changing life. These things weigh on my mind, and take me into a place of darkness.

And this is how I know it is wrong ... the darkness. As Isaiah said today, woe to those who trade lightness for darkness. I do this. I should have lightness, and I trade it for the darkness of worldly sorrow.

The lightness is joy in godly sorrow and correction. This is something I understand and have embraced. I know in what ways God has corrected me, and I know what I should be doing about it. And in many ways, I am heeding that correction. When I move away from that, the darkness is there waiting to pounce. However, when I lean into God's purpose and objective for my daily walk, that place is always filled with light.

I will stay in the place of light, and I will continue to align to the godly correction I have received.

Prayer: Lord, please stay by my side, take my hand, and lead me in your correction. I desire mercy, justice, peace, and joy, for all first, and then for myself. May I be your instrument in bringing these things to others, as I know I will receive them in full measure in return. Amen.