There have been many times in my life when I’ve felt bad about how I’ve acted or for things I’ve done, and I’ve been told by fellow Christians that it’s “the enemy” and his lies. While I think there are a lot of things that are actually lies from the enemy, I also believe that we are supposed to feel a Godly sorrow.

Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— 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. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. - 2 Corinthians 7:8-11

When we look back and what we’ve done in our lives, whether yesterday or years ago, we can be sorrowful about our wrongdoings, our sins. But as Paul says to the Corinthians, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret.” It produces “…earnestness, eagerness to clear yourselves, indignation, alarm, longing, concern, and readiness to see justice done.” Our sorrow should lead us to these things. In our sorrow we recognize who God is and who we are. It helps steer us in the right direction. Remember next time you feel sorrowful, that God has a purpose for this; it is to build you up once again, in areas that glorify Him.