Regret
Scripture:
Philippians 3:13-14
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Reflection:
Today I choose to fast from the wound of regret.
Would’ve, could’ve and should’ve are the verbs that most often accompany our feelings of regret. They come alongside the phrase “if only” to keep us focused on the past and wallowing in self-pity.
Regret is different from sorrow because of its attention to the past. While sorrow has the ability to bring us forward through confession, repentance and conversion, regret is a dead end, a deflating replay of all that has gone wrong. In this way, only sorrow can bring us forward and enable us to go deeper in our relationship with God. This is the truth that 2 Corinthians 7:10 is pointing us towards. If we ask God to be present in our sorrow and keep our eyes fixed ahead, then we will reach the goal in Christ Jesus.
Questions for Personal Reflection:
What regrets keep me focused on the past?
Are there any areas of my life that require confession, repentance or conversion in order to help me move forward?
Prayer:
Share with God your regrets that hold you back and ask God to transform that regret into a Godly sorrow that allows you to move forward. If you identified any areas where confession, repentance or conversion are required, share those with God now, asking for forgiveness and guidance on the path ahead.
These devotions have been adapted from “Lenten Healing: 40 Days to Set You Free from Sin” by Ken Kniepmann.
