Seize the Moment – Day 213
Godly Grief!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Friday, October 16.
Did you know that grief is an important reality of our human experience?
Listen to Paul in 2 Corinthians 7:8-10, “For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.”
In this passage, Paul distinguishes between godly and worldly grief.
In fact, how we deal with the events of our lives that cause grief is an essential part of our Christian discipleship. While each person will grieve in a personal way, and we must make allowances for that, there are biblical principles to follow so that we don’t find our way into despair, caused by worldly grief, which as Paul teaches, “produces death.”
To avoid worldly grief, we are invited to respond to Godly grief with the 3 Rs:
- Remember Hope! In Christ, we do not grieve as the world grieves; we grieve with hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13).
- Repent for Your Life’s Sake! Godly grief is real; the sorrow of the situation is real! Don’t deny Godly grief; it requires a response. Respond to your grief and sorrow by allowing God to do deep surgery in your soul.
- Restore Right Relationships—keep short accounts with God and people. Value healthy relationships.
Seize the moment and be a Hope-bearer, not a Doomsdayer! We all will grieve, but let us grieve according to our birthright: with faith, hope, and love!
Have a wonderful day as you live in God’s amazing grace!