When all goes well in life, sometimes we are lulled into thinking we are in control of life. Pride will seep into our being as we rely on this false sense of security based on our own abilities alone.  But then something unexpected happens to challenge every part of our being.  Immediately we become dismayed, discouraged, distrustful and ultimately distressed.  We live in an imperfect world full of people with different ways of thinking and doing.  We are bound to be challenged by each other when we get in the way of the lives of others. 

Sometimes life takes a turn when you or a are loved one becomes gravely ill.  Not knowing what to do and having little to no control over it causes panic which leads to distress.  It shows on our faces while causing our hearts to beat quicker and our bodies to be on full alert.  We tremble as thoughts of the worst that could happen invade our minds.

Sins causes distress in all kinds of ways.  Our sin affects not only us, but brings distress to all those who live life alongside us.  Sin that is ignored unsettles our minds and hardens our hearts.  Sin left unattended and unrepented breeds like an out-of-control cancer causing more sins of pride, jealousy, envy, and arrogance to rise to defeat us.

So, what is “good distress”?  Paul explains—

2 Corinthians 7, The Message

With promises like this to pull us on, dear friends, let’s make a clean break with everything that defiles or distracts us, both within and without. Let’s make our entire lives fit and holy temples for the worship of God.

More Passionate, More Responsible

^2-4 Trust us. We’ve never hurt a soul, never exploited or taken advantage of anyone. Don’t think I’m finding fault with you. I told you earlier that I’m with you all the way, no matter what. I have, in fact, the greatest confidence in you. If only you knew how proud I am of you! I am overwhelmed with joy despite all our troubles.

^5-7 When we arrived in Macedonia province, we couldn’t settle down. The fights in the church and the fears in our hearts kept us on pins and needles. We couldn’t relax because we didn’t know how it would turn out. Then the God who lifts up the downcast lifted our heads and our hearts with the arrival of Titus. We were glad just to see him, but the true reassurance came in what he told us about you: how much you cared, how much you grieved, how concerned you were for me. I went from worry to tranquility in no time!

^8-9 I know I distressed you greatly with my letter. Although I felt awful at the time, I don’t feel at all bad now that I see how it turned out. The letter upset you, but only for a while. Now I’m glad—not that you were upset, but that you were jarred into turning things around. You let the distress bring you to God, not drive you from him. The result was all gain, no loss.

¹⁰ Distress that drives us to God does that. It turns us around. It gets us back in the way of salvation. We never regret that kind of pain. But those who let distress drive them away from God are full of regrets, end up on a deathbed of regrets.

^11-13 And now, isn’t it wonderful all the ways in which this distress has goaded you closer to God? You’re more alive, more concerned, more sensitive, more reverent, more human, more passionate, more responsible. Looked at from any angle, you’ve come out of this with purity of heart. And that is what I was hoping for in the first place when I wrote the letter. My primary concern was not for the one who did the wrong or even the one wronged, but for you—that you would realize and act upon the deep, deep ties between us before God. That’s what happened—and we felt just great.

^13-16 And then, when we saw how Titus felt—his exuberance over your response—our joy doubled. It was wonderful to see how revived and refreshed he was by everything you did. If I went out on a limb in telling Titus how great I thought you were, you didn’t cut off that limb. As it turned out, I hadn’t exaggerated one bit. Titus saw for himself that everything I had said about you was true. He can’t quit talking about it, going over again and again the story of your prompt obedience, and the dignity and sensitivity of your hospitality. He was quite overwhelmed by it all! And I couldn’t be more pleased—I’m so confident and proud of you.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Distress that leads us immediately back to God is good!  Life on earth will bring distress as we work together with other uniquely designed by God people.  We are created differently but there is no need to be divisive. 

Division in the Body of Christ called “church” immensely grieved and distressed Paul.  The church was distressed and hindered in her growth by the abrasive actions of others.  God is grieved when “His kids” do not get along.  Jesus, is Head of the church; but when the church loses sight of the sacrifice He made for us; He is grieved.  When we disobey God’s Holy Spirit by allowing ourselves to be distracted and deceived by evil’s schemes to divide us, we grieve the Holy Spirit. But God provides a way to turn it all around when our distress drives us back to Him!

“You let the distress bring you to God, not drive you from him. The result was all gain, no loss,”Paul joyfully replies!  He reemphasizes his joy with, “Distress that drives us to God does that. It turns us around. It gets us back in the way of salvation. We never regret that kind of pain. But those who let distress drive them away from God are full of regrets, end up on a deathbed of regrets.

PAUSE TO PRAY—

Are we living our lives with no regrets?

Does our distress drive us to God or keep us farther away from Him?

When troubles and challenges of life come do we throw up our hands and quit, dig in and try to solve the issues by ourselves because of our pride, or do we humbly fall to our knees and call on the Name of Jesus? 

Do we fully and completely rely on and obey the One who knows all, created all, and is in all?

Sins, left unchecked, compound with interest daily.  This is a “savings” that must be depleted daily!  This saving of sins plan only leads to loss and regret. What are saving?  Does our distress lead us back in the way of salvation—which is all gain?

Lord,

I want to live with no regrets.  Cleanse my heart, renew my mind, refresh my soul with your new mercies, and continually restore the joy and peace of your salvation at work in me.  I’m yours.  I believe.  I’m listening.  May the distresses of this life always lead me to your saving grace, unlimited help, with compassions that fail not.

In Jesus Name, Amen