If you are like any normal human being, regret is topic you may be quite familiar with. If you do not consider yourself normal, read this blog anyway.
Have you ever said to yourself or others, “No regrets?”
Several months ago, Ryan asked the crowd at Awakening an ice-breaker question: “Share one thing in your life that you most regret.” It is obviously a fairly deep topic and I am sure many people stuck to surface-level answers. Like mine, for example, which was something about my education and pursuing the wrong classes. Since that night, I have not been able to shake the topic off my mind. Is it possible some Christians may not have a full understanding of what it means to regret?
Webster says regret is “an expression of grief or disappointment.” Our biblical friend, the Apostle Paul, touches on regret in this way:
No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but 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.
Philippians 3:13-14 (NLT)
Here, it seems Paul expresses disappointment over the perfection in Christ he cannot fully attain.
How often might you feel disappointed over past sin that separated you from Christ? As time goes on, what kinds of things about yourself do you most often desire change in? Maybe there is something regretful in your past you are struggling to move forward from. Note that after Paul’s regret over his past, he keeps from dwelling on it and looks forward to a better future! Why? In my opinion, because living in God’s freedom is more important than re-living one’s failures.
Whichever side of the fence you find yourself on, know this:
God offers YOU forgiveness, mercy and love that is unfailing (Nehemiah 9:17). Even more exciting, he offers us a fresh start!
Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Renew a loyal spirit within me.Psalm 51:10 (NLT)
Author: Kate Anderson