He who loves God neither distresses nor is distressed with anyone on account of transitory things. There is only one kind of distress which he both suffers and inflicts on others: that salutary distress which the blessed Paul suffered and which he inflicted on the Corinthians. (Maximos the Confessor)

The Corinthians prompted Paul to repeated criticism. Maximos is probably referring to the "godly grief" of chapter 7 of the second letter.

For godly grief produces repentance that leads to salvation and brings no regret, but worldly grief produces death. For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves guiltless in the matter. (verses 10-11)

I have recently encouraged embracing the tragic. Without knowing so, I may have been encouraging godly grief.

There is an emotional response -- sometimes called grief -- that seeks to blame, perpetuates sorrow, and assumes the mantle of self-righteousness. This is deadly.

There is another response that is inclined to self-criticism, seeks to learn, and tries to reach out in love. The tentative language is purposeful.

We will often respond with both forms of grief. This is our reality. This is our tragic condition. But by embracing the tragic, we give ourselves the opportunity to forsake what is deadly and cultivate the attitudes and habits of abundant life.