We all have them. And the older we get, the more we seem to collect.
We begin to believe the lie that our past mistakes ruin our “now” and our future.
We spin our wheels with all of the “what if I had…” or “what if I hadn’t…”
But I say… what if…
What if all the “mistakes” aren’t really the big, awful mistakes that we thought they were.
What if they are all about being human and all part of our learning process that is leading us to a more intimate relationship with Him…and to our greater destiny and calling?
That it’s all about spiritual growth.
Because we are eternal beings.
Here on this earth we make mistakes. We learn. We grow. We move forward.
It’s not about winning the trophy or getting the promotion.
It’s about what we learn along the way.
So we cannot wallow in regrets about choices we have made because everything we have done, or will do, is a learning experience—an opportunity for growth.
And what if God knew we would be making those “mistakes” all along and He already knew how He was going to use them—weave them—in our lives and in the lives of others?
What if.
So don’t give up.
Don’t succumb to the downward pull of regrets.
Quit believing the lie that it’s too late and start believing that God works ALL things for the good of those who love Him…
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ROMANS 8:28
Don’t let past regrets keep you from the abundant life and destiny God has planned for you.
You’re only at the beginning.
You’ve only just begun and I know where you are going
But all you can see in the moment is that you’re hurting.
And all you can see in the moment is that you’re aching.
I knew what I was getting into when I called you.
I knew what I was getting into and I still want you.
I knew what I was getting into and I still like you.
I knew what I was getting into when I called you.
Just don’t give up.
And don’t give in.
If you don’t quit, you win, you win.
Everything is in My hands.
It’s going to be alright.
Everything is in My hands.
You’re going to okay.
PORTION OF LYRICS FROM “I KNEW WHAT I WAS GETTING INTO” ~ MISTY EDWARDS
Pastor Andy Stanley wrote a Bible study called: The Best Question Ever: Learning to Foolproof Your Life. He believes that question can help us make less regretful decisions.
That “best question” is this: “In light of your past experience, current future hopes and dreams, what is the wise thing for me to do?”
It’s a simple question that will bring wisdom to the surface and help us not to make the same mistakes.
Might be worth the time to write that question on an index card and keep it with your daily planner!
And then always keep in mind that GOD USES EVERYTHING FOR OUR GOOD!!! He is the masterful weaver of all the threads of our lives!
SONGS TO MINISTER AND HEAL
“Begin Again” Jason Gray
This one goes out to you
If you gave all you had and it wasn’t enough
It goes out to you
If you’re afraid you’ve failed everybody you’ve loved
It goes out to you
If the ties that bind are coming undone
And you’re so tired that you wanna give up
There’s never been a night so long…
There’s never been a life too far gone
When you come to the end, you can begin again
This one goes out to you
When you got the call and it wasn’t good news
It goes out to you
When there’s nothing more that you can do
It goes out to you
When everything sad isn’t coming untrue
And every dream you chased got away from you
There’s never been a night so long…
There’s never been a life too far gone
When you come to the end, you can begin again
It’s never too late for a new start
If you give God the pieces of your broken heart
When you come to the end, you can begin again
Arise, my love, the winter’s past, the spring has come!
He makes all things beautiful in time
After the fire, what remains is the love that will not change
And makes all things beautiful in time
It’s never too late for a new start
No matter how your life’s been torn apart
When you’re at the end, you can begin again
There’s never been a night so long…
There’s never been a life too far gone
When you come to the end, you can begin again
It’s never too late for a new start
If you give God the pieces of your broken heart
When you come to the end, you can begin again
Oh, when you come to the end, you can begin again
Flawless ~ Mercy Me
There’s got to be more
Than going back and forth
From doing right to doing wrong
‘Cause we were taught that’s who we are
Come on get in line right behind me
You along with everybody
Thinking there’s worth in what you do
Then like a hero who takes the stage when
We’re on the edge of our seats saying it’s too late
Well let me introduce you to amazing grace
No matter the bumps
No matter the bruises
No matter the scars
Still the truth is
The cross has made
The cross has made you flawless
No matter the hurt
Or how deep the wound is
No matter the pain
Still the truth is
The cross has made
The cross has made you flawless
Could it possibly be
That we simply can’t believe
That this unconditional
Kind of love would be enough
To take a filthy wretch like this
And wrap him up in righteousness
But that’s exactly what He did
No matter the bumps
No matter the bruises
No matter the scars
Still the truth is
The cross has made
The cross has made you flawless
No matter the hurt
Or how deep the wound is
No matter the pain
Still the truth is
The cross has made
The cross has made you flawless
Take a breath smile and say
Right here right now I’m ok
Because the cross was enough
And like a hero who takes the stage when
We’re on the edge of our seats saying it’s too late
Well let me introduce you to grace grace
God’s grace
No matter the bumps
No matter the bruises
No matter the scars
Still the truth is
The cross has made
The cross has made you flawless
No matter the hurt
Or how deep the wound is
No matter the pain
Still the truth is
The cross has made
The cross has made you flawless
No matter what they say
Or what you think you are
The day you called His name
He made you flawless
He made you flawless
No matter the bumps
No matter the bruises
No matter the scars
Still the truth is
The cross has made
The cross has made you flawless
BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
If: Trading Your If Only Regrets for God’s What If Possibilities ~ Mark Batterson
One Month to Live: Thirty Days to a No-Regrets Life ~ Kerry and Chris Shook
No Regrets: How Loving Deeply and Living Passionately Can Impact Your Legacy Forever ~ Robin Bertram
Goodbye, Regret: Forgiving Yourself of Past Mistakes ~ Doris Swift
If Only: Letting Go of Regret ~ Michelle Van Loon
LINK: Anger (baggage)