We all make mistakes in our lives and there are things in our past that we often regret. Sometimes it’s about something we’ve said or done, or it could be something we neglected to do or say. Whatever the case, we feel regret and wish that things could have been different.
The burden of regret can cause us a lot of disappointment with ourselves and may even lead to some form of depression. Because we’re human, we try to suppress thoughts and feelings about our mistakes, so we seek instead to console our bodies, minds, hearts, and souls by obsessing on other things, other longings, and even other people. Sadly, for some folks, this creates an addiction to food, alcohol, substances, or even porn, leading them down a path of no return. Their regrets have been artificially nullified by their obsessions; their guilt has been numbed by their addiction. When I struggled with alcoholism, it was largely as a response to some major mistakes I made as a teenager, including a suicide attempt. Decades later, I'm beginning to understand what led me to my addiction.
One of the first things that Jesus does when He begins His ministry is to offer people a way to be released from the captivity of regret. He urges people to repent of the past, so that the Kingdom of God’s love can enter their hearts and minds, bodies and souls. God’s grace is evident because it has the power to liberate people from the past and enable them to live without regret in the present. It’s a beautiful gift and one that everybody needs, including ourselves.
Today, Christ offers us the same opportunity to cast off our ragged regrets and put on the robe of renewal. We are allowed to begin again and to have our hope restored. Jesus will repair our joy; Christ will reconnect us to God. All we need to do is to repent – to let go of the past and let God lead us into the future. As the Apostle John wrote to the young Christians in his time: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9 NIV)
Point to ponder: What is my biggest regret? Am I willing to hand it over to Christ and receive His forgiveness?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You
know us completely. Every mistake we have made, every false word we have
spoken, every wrong path we have taken are not unknown to You. You also
understand the burden of regret that we carry from those mistakes; please help
us to come to You, to confess our secrets and receive Your grace. In Your Holy
name, we humbly pray. Amen.
John Stuart is a retired
Scottish Presbyterian pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee.
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