GODLY SORROW

 

“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)