Regrets

I’ve heard a number of people say they don’t have regrets. That there’s nothing they feel sorry for doing (or not doing). Whether that’s experientially true for them, I can’t say. But for myself, in my relatively short time of living, I’ve accumulated a number of regrets. Those kinds of regrets that appear like lightning from clear blue skies, catching you off-guard and leaving you vulnerable to self-condemnation.

In our journey to perfection in God, dwelling on regrets can be debilitating. But how can we deal with them, especially when they just keep coming back to haunt us? Apostle Paul gives us some tips.

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

(Romans 8:1, KJV)

It is essential to understand that, if you’ve repented from your past wrongdoings and have turned to Christ for salvation, God does not condemn you. As far as God is concerned, you’ve got a clean slate. And if God doesn’t condemn you, no one else has that power: that’s your reality. But knowing this, will not necessarily take those memories away. What then?

“…but I focus in 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 Jesus Christ, is calling us.”

(Philippians 3:13b-14, NLT)

Apostle Paul was someone who really did THINGS. And I’m pretty sure he had flashbacks of regrets from time to time. But the counsel of God through him was forgetting the past and looking forward to what lied ahead. Notice how those verbs are in the present continuous form. It’s something he kept on doing.

For people who may have had really unsavory pasts, it’s something you’ll have to keep doing: forgetting the past. Any time those thoughts of regret or condemnation come up, acknowledge that they happened, but remind yourself that that was the old you.

And it’s not enough to forget, you must also look forward to what lies ahead. What lies ahead? Purpose and sonship with God here on Earth, and glorification which awaits us when we see God face to face.

Next time you’re struck with regret or inundated by waves of condemnation or consequences, do not allow yourself be destroyed by it. Breathe, forget it again, and look ahead to the precious promises God has provided for you.