Living Beyond Regret

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:9)

Regret! We’ve all experienced it. Sometimes it’s for things we’ve done. At other times, it’s for things we haven’t done but should have. Questions of “what if” plague our thoughts. And of course, our adversary, Satan, delights in reminding us of these past mistakes and failures. Whatever the cause, when we don’t deal with our past, we rob the present of joy.

We can find many examples of those who regretted their actions, but let’s look at three men and how each responded.

Peter, the Denier

In those final hours before Jesus’ arrest, quick-spoken Peter declared to the Lord that he was “ready to go with You, both to prison and to death” (Luke 22:33, NKJV). Brave words, and I believe he meant them with all his heart when he spoke them. Yet before morning, fear caused Peter to deny the Lord three times—just as Jesus had foreseen. Remorse overwhelmed him. Tears could not wash away the memory of his act.

And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So Peter went out and wept bitterly.  (Luke 22:61-61, NKJV)

As we know from Scripture, this was not the end of Peter’s story. He moved beyond his regrets to fulfill the ministry Jesus entrusted to him.

Judas, the Betrayer

Judas, counted as one of the twelve, gave the betraying kiss in the garden. Matthew 27:3 tells us of his remorse when he learned Jesus had been condemned. Judas attempted to return the betrayal money, but the religious leaders scorned his efforts. Their attitude was that’s your problem, not ours. He could not undo his actions, so he chose a drastic and irreversible solution.

Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself. (Verse 5)

Saul, the Persecutor

We first encounter Saul in Acts 7:58 as he witnessed, and consented to, the stoning of Stephen. The followers of Jesus infuriated him, and he devoted himself to wiping out this group who he felt had forsaken the Law. Acts 8:3 says that he “made havoc of the church.” Yet later the converted Saul, now called Paul, was himself persecuted as he spent his life declaring the gospel.

For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain. (I Corinthians 15:9-10, NKJV)

Yes, Paul had regrets, but he did not allow them to destroy him. He realized he had done wrong in the past, but he learned to recognize and accept the grace of God in his life.

If regrets are weighing you down and keeping you from achieving your potential in living for God, there is hope. The past does not need to define your future. With God’s help, you can move beyond regrets into a life of peace. These steps may help you.

Recognize and Repent

Identify the things in your life that you regret. Take any unconfessed sin to the Lord and repent. God wants us to be honest with ourselves and with Him. In Psalm 51:6 David acknowledges, “Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts.” Use this Psalm as a model prayer of repentance.

Rectify

If there is a way to make restitution for your actions, do so. Matthew 5:24 reminds us to “First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” (Also read Numbers 5:6-7.)

Refocus

We must change our focus from past failures and direct our energies to fulfilling God’s plan for us in the present.  Paul tells us in Philippians 3:13, “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead.”

If we follow these three steps to repent, rectify, and refocus, then we allow God to do His part. He will restore.

I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you. (Joel 2:25, ESV)

We cannot change the past, but God offers grace and restoration for our future.

Lord, help me to turn my regrets over to you so that I can live a victorious life and be fruitful in my service to You.