Life is often compared to a river – life goes on and we move with the flow wherever it leads. In this journey, we meet so many people who will impress our hearts, some positively and some negatively. We do not want to think of the bad times we’ve faced but sometimes memories just gush in. We do not want to think of mistakes that we have committed deliberately or in our ignorance, yet few of them keep haunting us. We also cherish the good times we had with our friends and loved ones. Sometimes even good memories bring sorrow to us as they cannot be re-lived again. For instance, our innocent school days, fun-filled college days, challenging work pressure along with supportive friends at our previous workplace. Few incidents are deeply impressed upon our hearts that when we think of them we begin to feel sorrowful.
The word of God says in 2 Corinthians 7:10,
“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”
The above verse taught me that sorrow that makes our spirit heavy is the ungodly sorrow. Sorrows such as grief of loss that has gone on for far too long, sorrow about the consequences of our actions, brokenness of heart because someone who was supposed to love you and protect you failed and left you wounded and injured, sorrow that lingers due to pain, disappointment or offences by someone else.
The only answer to all such sorrow is to shake it off and embrace the love of God. Only God can reach in and mend the brokenness of our sorrowful hearts. When such thoughts creep into our heads, let us learn to turn them back to praise. For all the bad times we faced, let us learn to thank God because they have made us stronger. For all the thoughts of sinful deeds, let us learn to thank God because in Him we have forgiveness and now we are set free from the guilt. For all the wonderful people who were once a part of our lives, let us learn to thank God for them because God allowed them to be a part of our lives. Let us thank God for ‘today’ and for all that He has provided for us.
As Psalm 118:24 says,
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Give your hurt to Jesus… He will mend your broken heart!
Expect Great Things from God, Attempt Great Things for God – William Carrey