Dealing with Regrets
Regrets
The emotion of wishing one had made a different decision in the past, because the consequences of the decision were unfavorable. Regret is related to perceived opportunity.
Regret is a central part of decision making and how we feel about the choices we make.
Also regret is the result of a decision we have made due to ignorance, selfishness, overconfidence, and several other factors.
Here is an acronym for regrets.
R-Repentance-This is our way back to God and takes the power of our bad choice results.
E-Expression-Showing remorse for actions by changing my attitude.
G-Grace is the gift of God that allows me to deal with my shortcomings.
R-Revelation that I need godly guidance.
E-Everyday try my choices by God’s word.
T-Thoughts- Allowing my thoughts to be examined by the Holy Spirit for protection.
S-Safety to guard me from the pain of regrets. I must trust the safety of God’s word.
Proverbs 5:1-23 (Christian Standard Bible, Message Bible)
King Solomon shares in this writing wisdom to confront this sometimes-heartbreaking emotion.
The relationship between a husband and wife are used to expose the emotion of “regret” and the results it brings to us as individuals. The writer says my son, pay close attention to my wisdom; listen very closely to the way I see it. Then you will acquire a good taste for good sense; what I tell you will keep you out of trouble.
If you want to overcome the regrets of your choices, in the future you must pay close attention and listen to wisdom, which is knowledge put to use. You cannot go back and apply wisdom to a past choice that has already revealed results of the choice. For example, if you allow yourself to get involved with
a woman other than your wife, the consequences are many. You may be forgiven but the effects of the choice are still real. In the future you will have opportunity to remember the wisdom and make wiser choices.
Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is insanity. It is just not possible to continue refusing wisdom and get a different outcome. Avoiding regrets totally is probably not realistic, but we can limit them and their effect in our daily lives. One way that King Solomon expresses dealing with regrets is avoidance. This is simple, but we all know that waiting on some great mind-blowing revelation on what we already have the power to do is useless and a waste of time. We cannot let a moment of pleasure cost a lifetime of pain!
Here is a thought, have you ever given in to something and after you are done you realize no matter how good or exciting it was… IT WAS NOT WORTH THE COST OF REGRET!!!
“I have personally learned (from my involvement with drugs) that the good feeling does not match the cost to me and those my choices affect. Who wants their life to be one where people say, “he will die because he has no discipline” or “he lost his life because of stupidity?”
Another way to overcome regrets is to repent, that calls for a change of mind about choices.
Listen, taking responsibility for choices made and then being responsible with future choices will empower you to live a life with sayings like; “Thank you Lord for protecting me,” “I am blessed to be a blessing,” and “I have wisdom and experience to deal with regrets so can you!!”
We believe that as we grow in relationship with God, our choices reflect his grace, mercy, and protection.
Remember even the worst choices will have consequences, but God never leaves us there, He promised to never leave us or forsake us.
We believe the greatest weapon against regret is faith in what God says and what He has done in and through us before we were even born, and throughout our lives.
Can we just look to all that God is doing and has done to guide us in our daily decision making?
CHOICES- An act of selecting or making a decision when faced with two or more possibilities. “The choice between good and evil.”
Here is an acronym for choices.
C-Christ gave His life for me.
H-Healing from emotional mistakes Is available.
O-Only what you do for Christ will last.
I-Ignorance of Gods word leaves me open to the consequences of my finite wisdom.
C-Christ gave His life for me, so why can’t I trust His guidance in living my life for Him.
E-Evangelism is telling the good news about making good choices.
S-Salvation is free but sin or making selfish choices distracts us from this great gift.
Here is your SOULUTION to dealing with regrets.
1. Be teachable so we can get God’s wisdom.
2. Avoidance-This can’t stop regrets from happening, but it can limit the amount of destruction they can cause.
3. Evangelism-When we tell the good news of the results of making good choices it can be wisdom for someone else.
4. Take responsibility for past and future choices.
5. Repentance-This is an action of changing the way we think about choices.
6. Faith that God is always there for us to think before we act.
Either way consequences are real and the more we choose wisely the better chances we have available to learn, grow, mature, and share the wisdom available from them.
When overcoming a challenge, it’s harder to fight than to quit. If you fight, at least you tried. If you quit you end up in prison, the prisons name is REGRETS!!!
