Matthew 4:17 – From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." (NIV)

We all make mistakes in our lives, and there are things in our past that we often regret. Sometimes, it's about something that we've neglected to do or say, and other times, it could be something that we've said or done. For me, it was my alcoholism. Whatever the case, we feel regret, and we wish that things could have been different.

The burden of regret can cause us to become greatly disappointed with ourselves and may even lead to some form of depression. Because we're human, we try to suppress thoughts and feelings about our mistakes, so we seek instead to console our bodies, minds, hearts, and souls by obsessing on other things, other longings, and even other people. Sadly, for some folks, this creates an addiction to food, alcohol, substances, or even pornography, sometimes leading them down a path of no return. Their regrets have been artificially nullified by their obsessions; their guilt has been numbed by their addiction. When I struggled with alcoholism, it was largely as a response to some major mistakes that I had made as a teenager, including a suicide attempt. Decades later, I'm beginning to understand what led me into my addiction.

One of the first things that Jesus did when He began His ministry was to offer people a way to be released from the captivity of regret. He urged people to repent of the past, so that the kingdom of God's love could enter their hearts and minds, bodies and souls.

God's grace is evident because it has the power to liberate people from the past and enable them to live without regret in the present. It's a beautiful gift and one that everybody needs.

Today, Christ offers us the same opportunity to cast off our ragged regrets and to put on the robe of renewal. We are allowed to begin again and to have our hope restored. Jesus will repair our joy; Christ will reconnect us to God. All that we need to do is to repent — to let go of the past and to let God lead us into the future.

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

Point to ponder: What is my biggest regret? Am I willing to hand it over to Christ and to receive His forgiveness?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know us completely: every mistake that we have made, every false word that we have spoken, every wrong path that we have taken. You also understand the burden of regret that we carry from those mistakes. Help us to come to You, to confess our secrets, and to receive Your grace. In Your holy name, we humbly pray. Amen.

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About the author:

John Stuart <traqair@aol.com>
Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
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