Note 15 at 2 Cor. 7:10: There is a godly type of sorrow and an ungodly type of sorrow. Godly sorrow leads to repentance (see note 2 at Mt. 27:3, p. 528; note 3 at Lk. 15:18, p. 353). Ungodly sorrow, or the sorrow of this world just kills.

Our culture has rejected all "negative" emotions. But God gave us the capacity for these negative emotions and there is a proper use of them (see ref. i at this verse). Ecclesiastes 7:3 says, "Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better." People should feel bad about sin. There should be sorrow over our failures. However, this sorrow should lead to repentance, then when forgiveness is received, our sorrow should be cast upon the Lord (Isa. 53:4).

The Lord's statements to His disciples, the night before His crucifixion, caused them sorrow (Mt. 26:21-22; Jn. 16:6). If they would have let that sorrow lead them to repentance, then they wouldn't have denied the Lord. Peter's sorrow after his denial of Jesus changed him and certainly, he never regretted those tears he cried.

The sorrow experienced by those who do not turn to God produces only death. They grieve over their situation because they don't turn to God (that's repentance). Christians should only have sorrow until they repent. Once repentance has come, we need to appropriate the forgiveness and cleansing that are already ours through Christ (1 Jn. 1:9).

Note 16 at 2 Cor. 7:10: The NIV translates this verse as, "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret. . ." Godly sorrow that produces repentance (see note 15 at this verse) leaves us with no regrets. The positive change that our sorrows led us to, changes our attitude towards the things that caused us sorrow. Negatives become positives through Jesus.