“It is not
uncommon to find men and women in the world who feel remorse for the things
they do wrong. Sometimes because their actions cause them or loved ones great
sorry and misery. Sometimes their sorrow is caused because they are caught and
punished for their actions.
“Such
worldly feelings do not constitute ‘godly sorrow’. Godly sorrow is a gift of
the Spirit. It is a deep realization that our actions have offended our Father
and our God. It is the sharp and keen awareness that our behaviour caused the
Saviour…..even the greatest of all, to endure agony and suffering…..and to
bleed at every pore.” (President Ezra
Taft Benson, “A Mighty Change of Heart”, Ensign Oct 1989, p 4)
Repentance and
its needed remorse is not just for breaking of commandments and committing
serious sin or even indulging in weaknesses or even causing harm to others, as
much as it is needed for all of that. It is also much needed for those moments when
resentment about our lives arises and we entertain rebellious feelings that tempt
us to give up. When allowed to fester, these feelings take on a power of their
own and cause us to abandon the strait and narrow path.
I have had
such moments in my life and then God would send me some much-needed perspective
that would make me seek forgiveness through bitter tears. I know many would
say, it is not important that we fall but that we get up again and keep going. That
is sound advice but when you are a perfectionist, those moments hit you hard
and make you feel like you are not being as valiant as you once were before you
were born.
I know we
were fired up about mortality in our pre-earth life but now that we are here,
we have moments when enthusiasm wanes. I know people who have left the Church due
to bitterness and resentment because of their hardships and have concluded that
the Gospel is either not true or God doesn’t love them because if He did, He
would not allow such things to happen. I know one person who has said, “why do
I have to wait until next life to have everything, I want it now!”. This is
lost perspective and I wonder if she’ll ever get the proper one back because
she has been inactive for a number of years now.
Godly
sorrow truly is a gift because when we have it we recognize our offences
against God and without it, we disparage
and under-value the Father’s Plan of Salvation for our ultimate eternal
happiness and the Saviour’s suffering to pay the price of justice on our behalf
so we can be worthy of it. Godly sorrow recognizes the priceless gift of
eternal life through the two people who love us the most. It gives us in return
another gift that keeps us going…….gratitude.
You
have fed me from the banquet of your love;
Your
arms have cradled me
in
the eye of the heaviest storm;
You
have led me to reach the heights of faith
to
me unknown.
You
are my Sovereign,
My
wings of protection from the cold,
My
eagle in flight
To
pilot me home.
- CATHRYNE ALLEN
(Art: In His Tender Care by Jay Bryant Ward)
