for godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. for see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! at every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter. [2 corinthians 7:10-11]

 

we have all grieved some kind of loss this past year: loss of a job, loss of relationship, loss of a loved one or loss of a plan of the future. the way we process through godly grief is parallel to how we grieve any loss but with much greater hope.

we find ourselves in denial from the outward expressions of sin down to an internal lack of desperation for Jesus.

we may be shocked when we are called-out. we may even try to bargain with God in the wrestle or simply be angry.

we lament over the distance that sin has caused from our Savior and the repercussions that it has on those around us.

instead of staying with heads downcast, we lift our eyes to the only one who satisfies, redeems and restores. the Holy Spirit infiltrates hearts and moves to reveal what we grasp for more than Christ, leading us in His loving kindness to repentance.

Godly grief may look different for you than it does for me. the process may not be linear. but it will always result in hope.

 

i do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, [eph 1:16-18]

 

~ natalie schmidt