No Regrets
Do you have any regrets?
Regret can be a horrible, haunting thing. Looking back on personal mistakes, failures, bad decisions, wasted opportunities, neglected friendships or wrecked relationships is unpleasant and painful. It’s so hurtful that most folks do all they can to avoid this kind of reflection. We usually do everything possible to silence any voice that reminds us of what could or should have been.
While I’m no fan of wallowing in guilt about the past, “crying over spilled milk,” or burying oneself in the emotional by-products of unhealthy introspection, I do think regrets can be redeemed for good:
Regrets can help us identify actions we need to take today. They remind us of certain steps of repentance, restoration or restitution we need to take now that will bring healing to us or others.
Regrets can teach us valuable lessons. From them we learn how to make better decisions and improve the quality of our lives and relationships. The price we have paid in pain from our failures can be turned into an investment in our education. Hopefully our mistakes make us wiser.
The only thing sadder than having regrets is not learning from the ones we do have. When we ignore the lessons yesterday’s bad choices can teach us, we pile on more pain today, and accumulate a heap of heavy regrets for our tomorrows.
The book of Proverbs talks about the sad impact of regrets:
You don’t want to end your life full of regrets, nothing but sin and bones, saying, “Oh, why didn’t I do what they told me? Why did I reject a disciplined life? Why didn’t I listen to my mentors, or take my teachers seriously?” — Proverbs 5:11-14 (Msg)
Do you have any regrets?
Honestly own up to your mistakes and failures. Confess them to God and accept His forgiveness. Make a conscious decision to right the wrongs you can make right. Think carefully about the way you live your life today. Learn everything you can about the right way to live, and apply what you learn. Choose the path of wisdom by obeying God and His Word.
When we grow from our past regrets we greatly reduce our future regrets!
Dale O'Shields
For more information, visit the Church of the Redeemer's website.
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