Let Go Of Regret

I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

“I didn’t sleep well last night, and today I am sad, sad, sad.” She continued, explaining how deeply she regretted a situation from her past—pondering whether there was anything she could or should have done that would have changed her current circumstances.

I quelled my natural instinct to offer words of comfort or absolution. I simply let her share in compassionate companionship, silently inviting God into our midst to provide solace and a way forward.

Grief is a complicated, tricky beast. I’ve come to think of it as waves that ebb and flow over time—with unexpectedly huge waves engulfing us even decades later as new consequences from old situations play out in our lives and in the lives of those we love. And regret can be a close companion to grief, whispering could’ve, should’ve, would’ve in our ear as we relive our actions or inactions over and over.

Regret, if we aren’t careful, will trap us in the past, rendering us ineffective for Kingdom work in the present. And the older we get, the more regrets we naturally accumulate, wishing we’d had the wisdom of experience earlier in our parenting, our relationships, our careers, and beyond.

Jesus calls us to forward living—applying the wisdom gleaned from past mistakes to break unhealthy cycles and intentionally make increasingly better choices for ourselves and those we love. But in order to move forward, we must forgive ourselves. It’s tempting to repent of a past mistake, seeking forgiveness from God, but then continue to flail ourselves again and again, rejecting the gift of forgiveness and limiting how God can use us because we refuse to let go.

Instead, let’s thank God for his forgiveness, asking him to use those experiences we regret redemptively—embracing what we’ve learned for God’s glory and for use in his purpose as we move forward.

Julie

Today’s Act of Gratitude

Hand Jesus your regrets, repenting of sin and thanking him for redemptive experiences to come from your newfound wisdom.