God delights in godly sorrow.

2 Corinthians 7: 10: Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

What is "godly sorrow"? Firstly, it is sorrow that glorifies God. (2 Cor 7:9). It is sorrow that God delights in. It is sorrow that is good for the soul.

The opposite of "godly sorrow" is not the absence of sorrow, but what Paul calls "worldly sorrow." The powers of darkness in this world are crafty and sly and try to imitate the real thing. Worldly sorrow often imitates godly sorrow, but when it is scrutinized, you realize it is not the same.

Worldly sorrow is when you feel sorry for something you did, because it backfires on you and leads to humiliation or punishment. It is the reflex of a proud and arrogant heart and the reaction of a fearful, uncertain ego. Fear regrets actions that jeopardize comfort, safety and popularity. The focus of worldly sorrow is oneself! Feeling sorry for something we have done is therefore not in itself a sign of virtue.
Godly sorrow, on the other hand, is the reflex of a soul that has wounded God's heart, a sorrow that grieves that God's Name has come into disrepute. The focus of "godly sorrow", is God.

Worldly sorrow is the result of an attitude that despairs when it loses the praise of people. Worldly sorrow often leads to deep and dark depression, to distrust, anger, dissension, conflict and even war. This is why Paul says that worldly sorrow brings death.

Godly sorrow, on the other hand, is the result of God's Word touching our lives.
Godly sorrow is the guilt you feel when the Word of God shows you that you are a sinner and you have dishonoured the Name of God. Godly sorrow is the sorrow of a God-directed heart, not a world-directed heart. Godly sorrow leads to repentance, forgiveness, reconciliation, new beginnings and salvation.
It leaves no regret. It brings life and rejoices in Truth.