Oh, how I wish that there was a "painless" diet!!! I can remember that several times I have lost more than fifty pounds (one time I actually lost over 90) only to have it come back in a few years with a little extra added. Its enough to make anybody cry! Yet most of us have been on a diet one time or another and our continued success or failure have undoubtedly been a source of intense concern, perhaps even tears at times. When we are happy, the world is great, but when that pointer reaches a number that upsets us, then the day is filled with sorrow. The accompanying guilt seems worse than the actual weight gain and the sense of failure stays with us. So the topic of sorrow naturally came to mind and with it, this passage.
World English Bible: II Corinthians Chapter 7
[1] Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. [2] Open your hearts to us. We wronged no one. We corrupted no one. We took advantage of no one. [3] I say this not to condemn you, for I have said before, that you are in our hearts to die together and live together. [4] Great is my boldness of speech toward you. Great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I overflow with joy in all our affliction. [5] For even when we had come into Macedonia, our flesh had no relief, but we were afflicted on every side. Fightings were outside. Fear was inside. [6] Nevertheless, he who comforts the lowly, God, comforted us by the coming of Titus; [7] and not by his coming only, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, while he told us of your longing, your mourning, and your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced still more.
[8] For though I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret it. For I see that my letter made you sorry, though just for a while. [9] I now rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you were made sorry to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly way, that you might suffer loss by us in nothing. [10] For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world works death. [11] For behold, this same thing, that you were made sorry in a godly way, what earnest care it worked in you. Yes, what defense, indignation, fear, longing, zeal, and vengeance! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be pure in the matter. [12] So although I wrote to you, I wrote not for his cause that did the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered the wrong, but that your earnest care for us might be revealed in you in the sight of God. [13] Therefore we have been comforted. In our comfort we rejoiced the more exceedingly for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. [14] For if in anything I have boasted to him on your behalf, I was not disappointed. But as we spoke all things to you in truth, so our glorying also which I made before Titus was found to be truth. [15] His affection is more abundantly toward you, while he remembers all of your obedience, how with fear and trembling you received him. [16] I rejoice that in everything I am confident concerning you.
Sometimes we have to do things we dislike for the greater good. Perhaps it is something like going to the dentist or starting a diet or even informing a friend that they have done something wrong. Any or all of these things can make us very, very uncomfortable and upset. But when we see that our efforts are successful, its worth all the pain and more. When other people "get it" and actually listen and do something about our concerns, what a wonderful feeling it is!!! Some things (like the dentist or even a diet) may not have permanent effects, but if someone turns from a sinful lifestyle to please God, then the results are eternal!!! May we all have the courage of our convictions in all that we do, especially when it comes to helping other get to heaven. Now, if I only could get a diet that would work for the next twenty years, how happy I would be!!! Humm, on second thought, maybe I could just by a scale that divides my weight by TWO....?