Thursday, September 4

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2014

Ecclesiastes 7:1–9:18

2 Corinthians 7:8–16

Psalm 48:1–14

Proverbs 22:17–19

 

 

Today’s passage touches upon the key differential between depression (worldly sorrow) vs. godly sorrow.  Paul carefully indicates that these two types of sorrow have different sources and different outcomes.

 

Although chemical imbalances may cause lasting depression, I have often found that negative thoughts (often, lies) can deliver the type of “worldly sorrow” that Paul describes in 2 Corinthians 7:8-11a:  “Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it.  Though I did regret it -- I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while -- 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 were not harmed in any way by us.  Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.  See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done.”

 

Godly sorrow leads to conviction and repentance.  Recognizing that we have a judgmental attitude or that we have thought frivolously about God leads us to confess and seek restoration with the Father.  Clearly, these steps are beneficial for our growth in character.

 

Yet, we often face sorrowful (worldly) thoughts.  These sorrows may arise through actual circumstances or feared circumstances that we create in our minds.  We may be remorseful for our performance or others’ opinions of us.  These thoughts may cause us to question God’s goodness and presence in our lives.  I am convinced that the Evil One uses our thoughts against us, in order to entrap us and keep us from experiencing the victory (and proclaiming the glory) of Christ.  He desires to thwart God’s work:  “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)

 

In short, we must seek God’s guidance on the nature of the sorrows we face.  Has He genuinely sent this sorrow for our repentance or growth?  Or are these words lies from the Evil One meant to set us astray?

 

Like Paul, we need God’s grace for a healthy mind and spiritual heart:  “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.” (1 Corinthians 15:10)

 

Lord God, thank You for godly sorrow, which draws us back to Your side and restores our full fellowship.  Help us to sort through our daily thoughts, to determine which thoughts come from You and lead us to You and those that come from this world or the Evil One and lead us to depression.  Bring freedom as we understand how You have created us and rejoice in Your createdness in us.  Help us to serve as ambassadors and bringers of hope by introducing You to hurting people, who have become overcome with worldly sorrow.  May we bring glory to You through the renewing of our minds and reaching out to others.  In Jesus’s Name, amen.

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