Being Made Sorrowful

 None of us really like to be made sorrowful. It makes us feel badly. Most of the time it is because we realize that we have done something that was harmful to us or to others. So, we grieve over our actions or words. The problem is that just being sorrowful for a while will not make everything get better.

Paul addressed this with the Christians at Corinth, because he had made them sorrowful by sending them a very serious letter. (II Corinthians 7:9) Later, Paul told them that he rejoiced, not that they were made sorrowful, but that they were made sorrowful to the point of repentance. They were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that they would not suffer loss in anything through Paul's efforts.

There are times when God gives me a message to preach or teach that causes people to be sorrowful over their sin. I do not feel good when I have to deliver those messages because I see the hurt that it causes. However, if that hurt leads them to repent of their sin and get right with God, it is a good thing that I shared it.

We all need to have the proper perspective on these times. We all need to be made sorrowful, even if it is unpleasant. It leads us to be serious about changing our lives, repenting of sins, and getting on the right track with God. Therefore, we should rejoice when this happens that God used someone or something that get our attention enough for repentance to happen and for us to have the joy of being right with Him. 

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Tomorrow, I intend to read II Corinthians 8-10.