God intends fear and sorrow to bring repentance that leads to salvation, not regret (2 Cor 7:9-10)

"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." 2 Cor 7:9-10

Sometimes we see a social post from a friend and it stews in our minds like a crockpot. Then we may call that person and it builds a more troubling story. I wish there was something I could do or say but the other persons life is out of my control. I can't fix this person, I need to be still and know (Psalm 46:10)... to come to Jesus with my weariness and learn from his humility (Matthew 11:28-30) to cast my cares upon Him because He cares for me (1 Peter 5:7, Psalm 55:22), to lean not on my own understanding but in complete trust submit my will to the Lord (Proverbs 3:5-6). 

Unfortunately "crockpot sorrow" can take two avenues of confession:

1. Superficial, fatalism. Express regret and sorrow but knowing that this is going to happen again, probably this week. Hypocrisy
2. Express guilt and sorrow, but have a hatred for the sin - you have every intention to make war against it. You are going to rob it of its power. Romans 7:16-19

 Genesis 44:33-34;Romans 2:4; 2 Corinthians 7:9-10; 2 Peter 3:9

• Fear when God uncovers your guilt (Genesis 44:33-34)
• God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance (Rom 2:4)
• ...your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended...Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret (2 Cor 7:9-10)
• The Lord...is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9)