Sorrow: From Grief to Godly Comfort

Sorrow is the deep sadness that follows loss, disappointment or sin. Scripture does not ask us to deny it; instead it shows how God meets us in our sorrow, uses it to soften and reshape us, and promises a day when sorrow will be gone forever.

What Is Sorrow?

Sorrow is an emotion of great sadness arising from loss or disappointment. It touches every human life, yet the Bible shows that sorrow should not be a permanent condition. Often, when people experience great suffering and sorrow, their hearts become more open to God. In desperation they turn to Him as they realise their little world is not invincible, and that what they had relied and placed their confidence in now 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 brings a changed heart, life and actions. This is in contrast to worldly sorrow, which is only regret and shame at 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 their responses were very different. Peter, in remorse, repented and was restored in faith, serving 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).

Sorrow That Draws Us to God

The Bible says, “If we sow in tears we will reap in joy...those who mourn will be comforted”. This state of sadness should be 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 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).

God Himself knows what sorrow feels like. He was heartbroken that mankind, whom He had created, was so biased towards sin (Gen 6:6-7). He again declared Himself sorry for making Saul king (1 Sam 15:11). These were expressions of sorrow, not admissions that He had made a mistake, because an all-knowing God cannot make a mistake. Similarly, Paul sorrowfully said that many who once walked with God now lived 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 they turn their backs on Him (Mt 13:20-22).

Jesus binds up the broken hearted – Psalm 34:18

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). He is therefore able to sympathise with us in our weaknesses, having experienced such things Himself, 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 1:16-17).

The End of Sorrow

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

For the Christian sorrow will be gone forever

Reflection and Application:

Bring your grief honestly to God, holding fast to Jesus the rock of your salvation.
Let godly sorrow lead to genuine repentance and a changed life, not mere regret.
Comfort others who are hurting with the comfort you have received from God.
Fix your hope on heaven, where sorrow and heartache will be gone forever.

See also: broken hearted, disappointment, grief, problems, sad, sorry, suffering, tears, weeping.