Don't Let Your Life Wallow in Regret

by Barbara Latta

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 call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14).

Don't wallow in regret from wrong choices

I have never met anyone who is perfectly satisfied with the choices they have made in life. Most of us are wandering through life wallowing in regret because we didn’t set goals, follow ideas, help more people, or try to remedy hurts. One thing I struggle with is wishing a writing career would have started earlier for me. 

While I rejoice at the success of my fellow writers, the fangs of regret try to sink into my soul with accusations of “Look at where you could be now,” “I’ll never get anything published,” or “I’m too old to start now.” But time is too precious to waste looking behind and wanting things to be different. I had to start somewhere or not start at all. Instead of looking at what I could have done, I have to look ahead to what I can do now.

The First Resolution is Don't Look Back

Almost everyone and everything will be focused on New Year’s Resolutions for a few weeks. We will hear about losing weight, saving money, cleaning and exercising, starting new businesses or going back to school.  However, rather than making resolutions each year that I will not be able to keep, I prefer to make small changes in certain areas of my life and become consistent in them to bring myself to the rewards I want to obtain.

Before making any lists, I want to start the New Year with being thankful for all the blessings of last year. Even if you had a bad year with some mishaps or unpleasant circumstances, you can still find something to be thankful for. Instead of beating yourself up for missed goals or opportunities, look at what you did that helped yourself or others.

Here are some of the things I am thankful for:

• The month of December brought serious illness to some of my family members. I am very grateful for their improving health and thankful for the family I have.

• We recently found out our oldest son and his wife are expecting their first child. 2015 will be the year we become grandparents.

• Our youngest son completed a mission trip to Dominican Republic.

• Despite the problems in our government, I am thankful to be living in the greatest nation on earth.

• I am thankful for Christmas and the gift of Jesus God gave to all of us. Because of Him we can look to each New Year with hope and anticipation for what He has in store for us.

• Lastly, I am thankful for these words penned by the Apostle Paul: “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 call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).

Don’t spend this year looking in the mirror of regret about last year’s mistakes or missed goals. This is a new year with a new purpose.

What are you thankful for about last year and what do you see for yourself in 2015?

Regret Lane vs. Restoration Blvd.

Last week my family attended a reunion in Texas. It's always good to see everyone after a long time and have fun together. It's also a time of reflection and remembrance of those who have gone from this world to the next one in Heaven.

Sometimes when reminiscing it's easy to get into the trap of "what if". We ask ourselves what could we have done to have spent more time with loved ones or appreciate them more. Or how could we have made better choices in our life.

But God doesn't want us to spend our life in regret or sorrow, rather to look ahead at the future He has for us.

He tells us in Joel 2:25-27, "So I will restore to you the years the swarming locust has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust, my great army which I sent among you, you shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you; and My people shall never be put to shame. Then you will know that I am in the midst of Israel: I am the Lord your God and there is no other. My people shall never be put to shame."

Even though our past years are gone, He tells us he will restore the years the locust has eaten. No matter what has happened or what we may regret, God can make all that up to us with our future if we let Him have control of our lives.

• Our first step in navigating the highway of regret is to not wallow in it.

• Next, when we are attacked with those feelings or thoughts, we can stop them by reminding ourselves of Joel 2:25.

• Third, learn from past regrets and make any changes necessary for our present and future.

Remember, His people will never be put to shame.

Do you have an example of overcoming this curve in your life?