For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  Romans 3:23

We’ve all had them and the older we get, the more they pile up. They are the regrets for the wrong decisions we have made. Often, they have brought lasting and painful consequences. Some were recent and some from a long time ago. Some may be family and social, some relationships and some financial. Some bring shame and guilt.

But remember, you are not alone. We all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We all have made decisions we wish we had never made. Remember that God has a plan for forgiveness and restoration. Often the consequences of our wrong decisions will linger, maybe for a lifetime. But forgiveness and restoration is now.

Talk to God openly about your weaknesses, failures and mistakes. Repent of any wrongdoing. Repentance means you’re sincerely sorry and you want to make a change.

Overcoming shame and guilt is possible with Christ’s help. He has paid the price for our sins, even the worst sins that cause us to feel guilt and shame. 1 John 1:9 says when we confess our sins, he forgives us and purifies us. This means we do not need to let shame and guilt control us. Shame and guilt are tools of Satan!

Finding compassion and contentment in life is an inside job. No one else can give these things to you. Worrying is like paying interest on a debt that never comes due. It is never too late to be all that we can be. We can live in the darkness or fight our way into the light.

We have all traded what really matters for something that doesn’t really matter. We are defined by our choices.

Regret can draw us to salvation. Paul tells us that “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation” (2 Corinthians 7:10) and that it is God’s kindness that brings us to repentance (Romans 2:4).

Regret is sorrow or remorse over something that has happened or that we have done. Regret can also be a sense of disappointment over what has not happened, such as regretting wasted years. To be human is to have regrets because making mistakes is a universal experience.

The Bible gives much instruction that, if followed, will result in fewer regrets. God’s commands and boundaries are written down for us in His Word, and the more we adhere to them, the less we have to regret. However, in God’s grace and mercy, He has also provided a way to deal with regrets when we have not lived as wisely as He wants us to.

Bring your regrets to God and He will lead you to a path of joy.

by John Grant
used by permission

FURTHER READING

• No Regrets –  by Rand Kreycik
• The Dark and Lonely Closet of Regret – by John Fischer
• Don’t Waste Your Sorrow – by Allan Mitchell
• God Uses Sorrow for Good – by Bill Bright

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The post Regrets appeared first on Thoughts About God.

Take control of your life today!

Refuse to allow bad decisions to dictate your actions any longer. Every day you are awarded new mercies, new opportunities, and a clean slate. Go ahead, pick yourself up and keep moving forward.

No more living by feelings and emotions, they are not reliable. Live by what you know is true, the Word of God. His promises are real. Make an exchange with God and be empowered through your union with Him. If you don’t know Him as Lord and Savior, today is a great day to begin. https://thoughtsaboutgod.com/four-laws

Father, as we come to you today to lay down the baggage of fear, doubt, insecurity, shame, etc. we make an exchange with you for the oil of gladness, confidence, boldness, and peace. We thank you for sending your Son Jesus to die on the cross that we may walk in freedom. Today, we say no to every attempt to sway us from your best for our lives. We say no to fear and anxiety playing on our emotions. Today, we choose to walk in stability and forgiveness.

By Mary Pinckney
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

•  Stepping Into a Personal Revival
•  We Plan – God Directs

Learn more about knowing Jesus at: https://thoughtsaboutgod.com/four-laws/

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