Scripture:  2 Corinthians 7:9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance.

Observations: Paul is happy that the sorrow he caused this church led to something good.  It led to repentance.  He was willing to confront, to boldly deal with issues.  The passage goes on to contrast Godly sorrow that leads to repentance with worldy sorrow that leads to death.  I wonder how often we avoid causing someone sorrow by confronting them or telling them the truth in love and the result is that they end up with worldly sorrow and the ultimate consequence is much worse?  Of course there is no gaurantee that the response will be repentance.  Sometimes the response is rebellion and anger.  Not all correction is received.  This could be someone in our family, a child, a friend, someone in our church.  Hmm.  Am I off base for the passage?

Application:  I must remain open to being corrected.  When I am rebuked, corrected or otherwise instructed I must be open to seeing the truth about myself, my actions, attitudes, etc.  I need to allow healthy correction to lead to repentance.  The alternative is not good.  I must also be willing to confront, direct, and instruct.   Biblically, carefully and in love.   The alternative is not good.

Prayer:  Father, help me be sensitive.  Help me listen to the still small voice of your Spirit.  Help me also be open to those in my life that you might use to direct and teach me.  Regardless who that might be.  I want repentance rather than death.  Amen.