"Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death."
2 Corinthians 7:9-10
I like the idea here that godly sorrow and worldly sorrow are different and lead to different outcomes. I think I have felt this in my life... the difference between the howling loss of something you desperately want, but can't (and shouldn't) have, and the deep shame and remorse for something that you did terribly wrong paired with the determination to improve, and not be that person anymore.
Maybe it can also be seen just in the difference between funerals... a group that has lost someone and believes that is the end, and the group that truly believes that they will see thier loved ones again. The difference in hope for the future I think is one of the vast differences between godly sorrow and worldly sorrow. God doesn't make us feel bad just to break us down. He shows us our weaknesses to inspire us to do better and to change and heal where we have harmed, and he is there to help us de better and be better.
Satan, however, is the author of despair. He wants us to feel bad, and like we're worthless and life isn't worth living, and trying again is pointless. Let's not give in to the lies today, but counsel with God and live in hope. God can help us and change our hearts, and give us the power to overcome any challenge we face, even though we by ourselves could never handle it all. That's why we need him so desperately. He loves us so much to make up for our weaknesses and he teaches us to triumph over them.
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