Oh, regrets, where do I start? I could divulge all of my teen angst and young adult rebellious shenanigans. I could weep over heartaches, deceits and frustrations. Yells of fist-shaking whys could easily slip from my mouth. Regrets, we all have them, but I question if we should.
I just wrote the date March 1, 2018. How are we almost 20 years into the 21st century and still making a stink about childish antics from the 1990s? Regrets shouldn’t be a reflection back, but a nudge forward, away from the lies of yesterday.
I use to live in great regret. Made to feel worse by mentors, I was told I was sinning by feeling grief in those regrets.
- Pull yourself up
- Stop looking back and start living in the now
- Yesterday’s troubles aren’t today’s issues
Yes, I agree, but when you have had grief pounding on your heart for many years, how do you just shrug it all off and move on? How do you forgive yourself, forgive others, and forgive it all without regretting the lack of things? How do you move forward when remembering things that are ugly which haunt the corners of your mind?
The Lord gives us truth upon truth in His Word about the need to confess and believe that He cares for us. We don’t need to walk in a shadow of guilted remorse. Better yet, we can arm ourselves with the Word of God to remind us that we are not condemned if we are in Christ. And for those who still bring us down, we have fighting words of truth under our belts, not pockets full of shame, not any longer.
2 Corinthians 5:17-18 ESV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation
I may carry some things around once in awhile. I lean towards forgetting the past and only little reminders pop up now and again. Instead of banging my head against a wall of what-ifs, I allow grace to speak. It pours down life rain. The belief that I need to forgive myself no longer sits in the passenger seat. My motto screams truth into the winds of change. I am a child of the king, and I am not condemned by sins. I am in Christ Jesus, and I am free.
Romans 8:1 ESV There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
I am a child of the king, and I am not condemned by sins. I am in Christ Jesus, and I am free. Click To Tweet
I too, have brought my past along with me instead of leaving it behind where it belongs. Those “pockets”can become so heavy that’s why God’s grace is so amazing!!! Thank you for sharing the wisdom you’ve gained as you live as a “child of the King”. Cindy Wilkins from the #fmf Facebook page
This is seriously SOOOOO GOOD !!!! I pinned it and shared it twice in facebook!! Would you like to join our inter-generational Christian women’s group (Titus Women’s Club) and post and interact, and help us grow and minister to who God brings? Anyway, you expressed yourself so well and I can identify with your perspective. I am 53 years old, and only into my 50s did I come to accept that some of my family who I would have like to have benefited from as mentors, were actually dysfunctional. I was dysfunctional or co-dependent a bit with them, and finally my eyes are opened, and I am so grateful.
Thank you so much for your encouraging words. I would love to join your group. I will request to join on Facebook. Thanks.
Can I just say AMEN? Neighbors at Kate’s today.
Regrets aren’t necessary after we have repented and been forgiven. It’s a part of our testimony that makes us who we are today.
Regrets are terrible! I know. Praying for us all to be able to release them to Jesus so we can receive all He has for us to live the abundant life with our time left on earth. ❤
What a beautiful post. I love your writing. You are honest and you bring truth to the table. Thank you for sharing!