A STRATEGY FOR TOO MUCH SORROW
2 CORINTHIANS 2:1, 7 & 14 NKJV
1 But I determined this within myself, that I would not come again to you in sorrow. 7 so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow. 14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.
This is a combination of verses that will help you or someone you know who is slogging through the pit of sorrow.
Paul shared with the church at Corinth a strategy to deal with the man who had been caught up in an affair with his stepmother. I know, pretty sad stuff, right? The church had put him out of the fellowship, but evidently, this man made an adjustment. And Paul did not want him swallowed up with too much sorrow.
That’s an interesting phrase. Swallowed up with too much sorrow. This helps us know that sorrow is a normal human emotion, but too much of it can be debilitating. And most of us have either been there or interacted with someone in a swallowed up situation.
So here is a strategy that we can incorporate into our lives.
In verse one, Paul states that he determined within himself that he would not come to the church in sorrow. Paul was not leaving it up to his emotions to dictate his demeanor. Instead, He made a determination. The good news is we also can make a determination that sorrow will not be a dominating force in our lives. There is such a thing as a godly sorrow when we feel bad for missing it. But godly sorrow that produces repentance and change is a good thing. Sorrow over loss, regrets, mistakes, and all the things we face in this life is something we want to pull out of. So make the determination.
Second, in verse seven, Paul spoke of forgiving and comforting. We can forgive and comfort others. And we can also forgive and comfort ourselves. So many times, I have asked for God’s forgiveness but then refused to forgive and comfort myself. Receive God’s forgiveness. Forgive yourself and comfort or encourage yourself and keep moving. Staying swallowed up makes you an easier target for the enemy.
For someone who has experienced events beyond their control, such as the loss of a loved one or some other tragedy, sorrow will be completely normal. The objective will be not to stay there too long. That’s an entirely different message on dealing with grief. But do allow people and the Lord to comfort you. Don’t try to slug it out alone.
Thirdly, begin to develop an “always triumph” mindset. Paul was giving thanks to God in verse 14 because God always caused him to triumph in Christ. That is definitely a winning attitude. Yes, I am experiencing some sorrow, but I will not stay here because God always causes me to triumph in Christ. And that overcoming mentality has a fragrance of Christ that speaks to believers and unbelievers alike.
Because I tend to think in a linear fashion when I teach, having an answer for sorrow can sound too much like a 1-2-3 formula. These verses do not make up a formula but rather principles that can be applied and practiced. This is why I titled this message a strategy for too much sorrow, not a formula.
Paul wrote to Timothy and instructed him to meditate on the truths Paul shared. And that if Timothy would give himself or apply himself to these truths, his progress would be evident (1 Tim. 4:15). And that’s where we want to go. We want to progress in our lives over too much sorrow so that we are a witness and an inspiration to those who need help.
PRAYER:
Thank You, Lord, that You do not want me to be swallowed up with too much sorrow. Thank You for a way of escape and that I have the capacity to triumph in Christ!