(The following is the August 8 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read 2 Corinthians 7 and pay close attention to verses 8-12.)

Experiencing sorrow is difficult. Grief may come from losing loved ones, unfulfilled dreams, failed relationships, career disruptions, natural disasters, tragedies that directly or indirectly impact us, and more. No one is immune from sorrow in our sinful, fallen world.

Spiritual grief is also common. Such times may be painful, but God can use them to draw us to him in ways that ultimately benefit us. Spiritual sorrow occurs when we recognize the seriousness of our sin and how it separates us from God. It is a helpful tool God uses to impress upon us our sinful condition and our need for him. When we sin, we rebel against God. Our rebellion is a slap in his face and a claim that we know better than he does what is best for us. Godly sorrow for sin is a necessary step on our path back to Christ.

Unbelievers confronted with the truth of their transgressions against God’s moral law should feel sorrow. Likewise, believers should feel guilt for sin. We should mourn at the thoughtlessness of our disobedience of his Word, for we have temporarily damaged our relationship with him until we return to him in repentance and faith.

Paul took no pleasure in an earlier letter he wrote to the Corinthians that grieved them. He was thankful, though, that their sorrow led to needed change. “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret” (v. 10). This godly grief was a painful but helpful step in their Christian walk.

Accept godly sorrow for sin as a gift from our Father, who disciplines his beloved children (Prov. 3:12). Recognize such grief in others as opportunities for Christ to draw them back to himself.

Next Step:
When have you experienced godly sorrow for sin? How did you respond to it? Was the sorrow so deep that you cannot imagine sinning against God in that same way again?