As human beings, we all face some regrets at times. We wish we would have done better here or there, wish that we had made a different choice, or wish that we had not spoken when or the way we did. So, as we grow and mature, those thoughts of regret may pop up. However, we are not to focus only on our faults or the past. Scripture tells us how to think and how to view things properly as Christians:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God; and the peace of God, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:4-8).
“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).
Therefore, we are to focus on the Lord Himself and the things of Him. We only look back to evaluate our growth in Him and keep pressing on to be more like Jesus. Keep this in mind, especially if your regret is sin related: Once you ask for forgiveness for your sin, God chooses to remember that sin no more! Jeremiah 31:34 says, “... For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” So, if God doesn’t hold it against you anymore, then who are we to hold it against ourselves once we have been forgiven by Him?
