Do you know there are two kinds of sorrow? One is called "worldly sorrow", and the other kind is called "godly sorrow". One is without the comfort and hope of God's word, and the other is with the comfort and hope of God's word.
In 2Corinthians, Paul wrote to the Christians in Corinth (a city in south Greece) and instructed them about the differences between these two kinds of sorrow. He said:
" Goldy Sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done." (2Cor7:10-11a)
Sorrow in a person's heart produces hopelessness, lifelessness and alienation, as a Chinese idiom says: "All hope are gone like ashes" (万念俱灰). Yet, if you have God's Word and the comfort of the Holy Spirit, then sorrowful feelings and events in your life will become beautiful turning points: from hopelessness to salvation and no regrets; from lifelessness to eagerness and readiness to see justice; from alienation to self-indignation and concern for others.
May the blessings of sorrow from God on Corinthian Christians will be on you too!
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