Parenting by Design - December 18

Sorrow and Repentance

2 Cor. 7:9-10:Yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death (NIV).

There are two kinds of sorrow—godly sorrow that leads to repentance, and worldly sorrow that brings death. This is an important concept when our kids come home upset about something that happened that day. What is our goal in that discussion? Is it to place blame, make excuses or correct them so it doesn't happen again? Or, is it to explore with them the impact of the event and gently and empathetically lead them to see how God could use it to bring them to a place of repentance?

So often, we get caught up in the emotions of the moment and we forget that God can redeem anything. How great would it be if sorrow led to your kids seeing God just a little more clearly? That's what godly sorrow is intended to do!

Recognize that painful experiences can be opportunities for our kids to grow closer to God.