The One Necessary Sorrow

The One Necessary Sorrow

The only necessary, effective, and beneficial sorrow (the one thing that is needed) is to sorrow after partaking of the mind of God (2 Cor. 7:10) and grieve over the fact that it is not better with us, and that we were not sufficiently diligent to do what we were supposed to do. Matt. 5:4.

All other sorrows are of the evil! They are the result of not really having put off the old man! All these sorrows—every single one of them—are damaging. They break down instead of build up. Matters get worse instead of better, because of them.

Paul also calls a whole lot of these sorrows the “sorrow of the world,” saying that they lead to death. Spiritually speaking, they are fatal. Avoid them like the plague! Concerning all these harmful cares, Sirach says, “Give not over your mind to heaviness, and afflict not yourself in your own counsel. The gladness of the heart is the life of man, and the joyfulness of a man prolongs his days. . . . Drive cares far from you; for sorrow has killed many, and there is no profit in them [in these unnecessary cares]. Envy and wrath shorten the life, and carefulness brings age before the time.” Ecclus. 30, last verses.

“Anxiety in the heart of man causes dejection . . . .” Prov. 12:25. “And the days of your mourning shall be ended.” Isa. 60:20.

“Casting all your cares upon Him . . . .” This is a command from the highest authority! Be on guard against being disobedient to this command, because that is really disastrous!

“My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.” Isa. 12:18. In other words, free from unnecessary sorrows. All of them are unnecessary sorrows, irrespective of what it concerns—with the exception of this one necessary sorrow, the one and only one.

All other sorrows are the result of not believing in the Word of God—believing contrary to all the Words of life in the New Testament. Unbelief is one of the worst things in God’s eyes. See Hebrews 11:6.

It is strictly forbidden to have any of the usual sorrows. There is mournfully little of the only necessary sorrow. We really need to come to a radical awakening. We can lose our life because of these unnecessary, ruinous sorrows, and others can be harmed by them as well. “Rejoice always . . . .” is an unmistakable command. Obey it!