Sorrow

<<grief>>

This is an emotion of great sadness due to loss or disappointment.

The Bible says, “If we sow in tears we will reap in joy...those who mourn will be comforted”. This state of sadness should not be a permanent condition, but only a passing phase as joy, restoration or new life in some form emerges (Ps 30:5, 126:5, 6; Mt 5:4; Jn 16:20). In times of tragedy hold fast to the rock of your salvation (Jesus), the sure

Jesus binds up the broken hearted – Psalm 34:18

foundation, who said He would never leave or forsake us (Ps 18:2; Mt 7:24,25; Heb 13:5). Trust and rely on God’s love for you knowing that [through trials] you can come out a better person for His Kingdom, and more able to comfort those who experience similar situations, having yourself received comfort from God (2 Cor 1:4).

Often when people experience great suffering and sorrow their hearts are more open to God and in desperation they will turn to Him as they realise their little world is not invincible, when what they had reliance and confidence in lies as a pile of worthless ashes.

Godly sorrow results from a heart-felt conviction that we have offended God by our sin. With humility and genuine repentance this will bring a changed heart, life and actions. This is in contrast to a worldly sorrow that is only regret and shame for being found out and does not bring about a lasting change for good (2 Cor 7:8-11). Peter and Judas both denied Christ, but there was a very different response from each. Peter in remorse repented and was restored in faith and served God in a powerful way, while Judas was only sorry without any real change of heart. He did not constructively deal with the issue and took his own life (Mt 26:75, 27:4,5).

God was heartbroken that mankind, whom He had created, were so biased towards sin (Gen 6:6,7). Again He declared Himself sorry for making Saul the King (1 Sam 15:11). These were expressions of sorrow, not an acknowledgement or admission that He had made a mistake, because an all-knowing God can’t make a mistake. Similarly, Paul sorrowfully said, many who once walked with God, now live as enemies of the cross of Christ (Phil 3:18). Many people today allow the cares or snares of the world to prevent them becoming good fruit producing plants and turned their backs on Him (Mt 13:20-22).

Jesus is sometimes spoken of as the ‘Man of Sorrows’ because of His struggles before the crucifixion, however He was able to see beyond His suffering to the outcome – ‘pioneering and perfecting’ our faith (Isa 53:3; Mt 26:38,39; Jn 12:27; Heb 12:2,3). Thus He is able to sympathise with us in our weaknesses, having experienced such things Himself, and so we can confidently expect mercy and grace in our time of need (Heb 4:15,16). Moving forward we resolve within our hearts that we will, with the help of God, “cease to do evil, and learn to do good” (Isa 1:16).

At the judgement seat of Christ, where we will be rewarded for how we lived our lives on earth, there will also be a period of regret as we see that we did not live for and serve God as we should have, but then we will enter into the

For the Christian sorrow will be gone forever

glory of heaven where there will be no more sorrow or heartache (Isa 35:10; Mt 16:27; Rev 7:17, 21:4).