Good Grief!

2 Cor 7:9
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 we're not harmed in any way by us.

Have you ever gotten that letter? You know that letter where somebody that loves you or tells you about yourself. I remember my mother writing me “that letter” in college reminding me that she didn’t raise me to be irresponsible, to make bad grades, or to forget God. I received that letter in the midst of partying and in a pursuit to be popular. That letter hurt me but it saved me.

Maybe I should have asked, “Have you gotten hat inbox or that direct tweet?” they usually come when people have something personal, private, or profound to say to someone they really care about. Every now and then we all need to write some sorrowful letters that lead to good grief.

We often try to avoid telling people the truth because we don’t’ want to hurt their feelings but you hurt them more by holding back on the truth. Grief can be good.

Paul wrote the church in Corinth a letter rebuking their behavior. At first he regretted it. Have you ever sent an email that you felt bad after you hit send? Maybe as a practice you should wait one hour before you send it but by all means send it.

Paul said he regretted it at first but now he’s happy because of their grief. Huh? The reason he’s happy is because of good grief. 2 Cor. 7:10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
When you share your heart it should lead the other person to repentance if they have a teachable spirit. Godly sorrow leads to life not death. When you communicate with people you love it’s to save their lives even at first it hurts their feelings.
The truth hurts but also sets you free.

Dear God, thank you for good grief. Give me the courage to share my heart with the people I care about even if it causes them to experience sorrow, for Godly sorrow leads to repentance. Thank you for those that loved me enough to tell me the truth about myself. I give you praise for good grief.

In Jesus Name,

Amen