Godly sorrow ∙

Godly sorrow ∙

The kind of sorrow God wants us to experience produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces spiritual death. – 2 Corinthians 7:10

Lamentations 3:55-57

 55 But I called on your name, LORD, from deep within the pit.

 56 You heard me when I cried, “Listen to my pleading! Hear my cry for help!”

 57 Yes, you came when I called; you told me, “Do not fear.”

The Reality of Sorrow and Grief

Throughout history, the human experience has been marked by injustice, cruelty, death, and destruction. These harsh realities are woven into the fabric of life on Earth. It is both natural and deeply human to feel and express sorrow and regret in response to such pain. For some, this may involve an extended period of grieving, mourning, and lamentation.

The Importance of Expressing Grief

Expressing grief and sorrow is a vital part of emotional and spiritual health. It helps us be honest with ourselves and with the Father. Suppressing sadness or pretending it doesn’t exist serves no purpose, since the Father already knows the depths of our hearts. The Bible confirms this truth: of the 150 Psalms in the Old Testament, about 40% are Psalms of lament. Further, the book of Lamentations is devoted entirely to godly sorrow, highlighting the vital role of lamentation in our spiritual growth and journey.

Lamentation: A Sign of Authentic Faith

Lamentation, rather than being a sign of hopelessness, is a sincere expression of faith. It demonstrates our willingness to confront life honestly and to acknowledge our feelings without suppression. By lamenting, we acknowledge the end of things as they have been, while also looking forward with hope to what is to come.

The Father is present with us during our suffering. He listens, encourages, and assures us of new beginnings. His presence reminds us that we are never alone, even in our darkest moments.

Hope in the Midst of Sorrow

In the book of Lamentations, the prophet Jeremiah offers a powerful reminder of hope, even in the midst of despair: Lamentations 3:20-25: “I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, ‘The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!’ The LORD is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him.”

The Depth of God’s Compassion

The Hebrew word racham, translated as “compassions,” highlights the Father’s deep emotional response to the needs of His people. “It conveys a profound awareness of and sympathy for human suffering.” Interestingly, racham is derived from the noun rechem, meaning “womb.” This connection “suggests a nurturing, motherly love, grace, and care that reflect the Father’s willingness to show favor.”

This same word is used in Isaiah to describe the Father’s “comforting, motherly love,” Isaiah 66:13, “As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you.”

REFLECT & PRAY

Stanleyexclaims, “Do you know the Lord as trustworthy, reliable, and consistent? Or do you question whether God will be there for you in your hour of need? From cover to cover, the Bible proclaims, ‘God is there, and He cares!’ He never abandons us.”

Father, I cherish sharing with You my laments, struggles, joy, and excitement. I know You are always present and act on my behalf.

INSIGHT

How Does the Father Comfort His Children?

When the children of the King are downcast and dejected, the Father God provides comfort in profound and tangible ways. The life of Paul offers many examples of how God’s comfort reaches His people, even in their darkest moments. Paul, who faced relentless challenges, fear, and discouragement, often found himself in a state of being “downcast.” The Greek term tapeinos captures this condition, meaning “low in spirit, depressed, or dejected.” It is frequently translated as “humble” or “lowly in spirit.”

The Lord Jesus Christ described Himself using this word in Matthew 11:29, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Comfort Through Companionship and Encouragement

At one of Paul’s lowest moments, the Father sent Titus to him. The arrival brought Paul great joy, not just because of their reunion but also because Titus delivered encouraging news about the Corinthians. After Paul’s stern letter urging the Corinthian church to address unethical and immoral behavior, their response was one of loyalty and devotion to both Paul and the Lord Jesus Christ.

As Seifrid notes, “God uses earthly means to provide comfort: He comforted Paul with the arrival of Titus. . . . Of course, it was not so much Titus’s arrival but the news he brought about the Corinthians that comforted Paul. His love for the Corinthians has been reciprocated: they, too, long for him.”

Paul writes, 2 Corinthians 7:5-7: “When we arrived in Macedonia, there was no rest for us. We faced conflict from every direction, with battles on the outside and fear within. But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus. His presence was a joy, but so was the news he brought of the encouragement he received from you. When he told us how much you long to see me, and how sorry you are for what happened, and how loyal you are to me, I was filled with joy!”

This passage demonstrates how God frequently uses people and situations to provide comfort to His children. Titus’s arrival and the good news he brought served as instruments of God’s encouragement to Paul.

Comfort That Multiplies

The Father’s comfort is not just for us; we are not the final destination. Instead, it’s meant to flow through us to help others. We are to pay it forward. As Paul explains, the comfort we receive from God prepares us to comfort others in their time of need, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

This divine cycle of comfort builds within the children of the King the ability and the desire to extend comfort to others. As Omanson and Ellington observe, “He comforts us in all our troubles. Because of this, we are able to comfort others, regardless of the kind of trouble they may be facing. We comfort them as God has comforted us.”

Why Does God Comfort Us?

When trials come, we can trust that God will help us through them. Why are we so sure? It is at the heart of His nature; it is Who He is: God of all comfort.

As Stanley puts it, “When trials hit, we can always be sure that God will come to our aid. Why? (1) It’s His nature – He is ‘the Father of mercies’ and the ‘God of all comfort.’ (2) He’s training us to comfort others.”

The Father’s comfort is a gift that transforms not only our own hearts but also the lives of those around us. When we experience His comfort, we are called to share it, becoming vessels of His love and encouragement to others.

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© Dr. H 2025