Change Creates Crisis
Good Sorrow

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 7:2-13

Key Verses: 2 Corinthians 7:8-9

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.

An emotion that is almost always attached to crisis is sorrow. Something has happened; it hurt physically, mentally or emotionally. We are experiencing sorrow: a joy-robbing, painful emotion that no one wants to live with very long. Maybe you are having a good day; everything is going along well when suddenly the phone rings. Your day turns ugly very quickly! Have you had this experience? Most of us have!

Christ followers struggle with the thought of: “where is God in this change?” We all get very comfortable with a routine. In fact, we all need many routines to get through the day effectively. I can’t remember where I read it, but the article indicated that we would literally go crazy if all our routines were gone. But life does interrupt some routines; stuff happens that can destroy a very comfortable and enjoyable routine. We then start asking, did God orchestrate this change and create this crisis in my life? If so, why?

The scripture for today tells of a letter that the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians. It caused them sorrow. Maybe they were all happy — enjoying life — and then the letter came. Someone stood before the congregation and read the letter and sorrow fell on them. Some, undoubtedly, reacted with anger. Others cried. It wasn’t a good day for these believers. Out of their sorrow — because of this crisis — they repented of their wrong and good came to them all. This is when sorrow is a good emotion.

Father, when I’m having a bad day, help me to look for you! Remind me of the good that might come. Teach me to trust your work and your love. In Jesus’ Name, amen.