Regret

In our lifetime, we can make millions of decisions. Some of these decisions are trivial and don’t have any kind of earth-shattering effect on our lives. There are some decisions we make that, when we look back, we are thankful for the outcome. Good decisions bring satisfaction and tranquility in our lives, but there are some decisions that make us cringe.

When we make bad choices, many times it doesn’t just affect us, but those around us. It is in those times we live with regret. Regret is that feeling and emotion that haunts us. Sometimes, we can go back and make amends; we can repair the damage that was caused by a dreadful decision. Then, there are other decisions that we make where there is no going back; there is no ability to fix what we broke, so we live with great regret.

Now, even though it hurts to live with regret and we wish we could make it go away, regret is a gift. Regret makes us hurt so badly that we would do anything to try and fix it, but many times we cannot. So, when that regret begins to eat us up inside, and we know we cannot make it right, regret makes us go to the One who makes all things right.

When it comes to the spiritual, the Lord calls these bad decisions that go against God sin. What do we do with the sin that eats our lunch, will not let us sleep, will not let us eat, or have any kind of rest? I have the greatest news for all of us who have or still live with such heartbreaking regret. I John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” We may not be able to go back and fix our sinful lives, but I know a Guy; His name is Jesus. Christ shed His blood upon that cross not to just cover our sin, but to remove it for good and never to return.

Isn’t it great to know that God will erase the sin that comes from all those bad decisions and the regret that comes with it? Now, He may not remove the consequences of our sin, but we are promised forgiveness, and with forgiveness we receive peace. We can finally lay our heads on our pillows at night and know that we are forgiven. We may still have regrets that come to our minds from time to time, but we must understand God has no idea what we are regretting because He has forgiven and forgotten all the sin we have ever committed, and that, my beloved, is a gift no man can give to us.

So, if you are being eaten up with guilt and regret, don’t you think it’s time to call upon the only One who will cleanse us from all our unrighteousness and sin? That peace that we all desire is just one prayer away.