Dear Family and Friends,

If you were asked to describe your week using one word, what would your word be?

Mine was reflective. It’s the mood I lapsed into this week because of all things – – a Korean drama. 

Most of you know that one of our favorite past times is watching Korean dramas. They are entertaining without resorting to scenes of extreme violence or nudity.

One of the K-dramas we’re currently watching centers around two characters who were brought back to life after their untimely deaths.

But when they came back to life, the short rather ugly man was now tall and handsome. And the once tall beautiful woman was now short and average looking.

As the drama follows the antics of the two adapting to their new faces and bodies, the drama constantly flashes back to scenes from their past lives.

I know this sounds utterly ridiculous but the story line (and a few other matters like the unrelenting advancement of my age) caused me to reflect, to flash back on my own life. In particular, on my regretful decisions when Christ was my Savior but not yet my Lord.

We all make mistakes. And we all have regrets.

Not all our mistakes are sinful in nature. Some are due to naiveté, lack of information or time, etc. These mistakes generally hurt ourselves, they set us back or down a wrong path.

Other mistakes are more serious in nature, usually stemming from sin, and tending to hurt others.

But sin or no sin, our past mistakes very often lead to regrets.

And unfortunately, when our regrets are not dealt with in a godly manner, they can overwhelm us with sorrow, strip us of our self-esteem, define how we see ourselves. And leave us in a state where the joy of Christ is not made full.

So, what can we do if we find ourselves regretful of things done or said in the past?

Turn our regrets into repentance

With respect to the sinful choices we made, let’s allow our regrets to lead us into repentance. 

“The kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.”  2 Corinthians 7:10 NLT

Worldly sorrow comes in many forms. We justify our decisions, downplay our sorrows, or say we’re sorry. But in the end, we don’t change. We search for peace but find that relief is only temporary.

A Biblical example of Godly sorrow versus worldly sorrow can be seen in Peter and Judas. When the rooster crowed and Peter remembered what Jesus had said, he went outside and wept bitterly. (See Matthew 26:75 NIV). Soon thereafter, Jesus restored Peter.

Judas was seized with remorse but rather than repenting, he tried to relieve his guilt and sorrow by returning the thirty pieces of silver. Judas died spiritually broken. (See Matthew 27:3-5 NIV)

Turn our regrets into reassurance

Because Paul knew God had forgiven him for his past deeds, he was reassured of his identity – – in Christ.

“For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain.”  1 Corinthians 15:9-10 ESV

Be reassured of your identity. By the grace of God, you too are what you are, and His grace toward you is not in vain.

Turn our regrets into recollections. And reasons for living

The Apostle Paul probably had more decisions to regret than all of us combined. This is what he did. 

“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.”  Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Let’s keep our minds’ eyes from wandering into the past by keeping our focus on Jesus.

Turn our regrets into redemptions

God is able to redeem and restore anything for our good and his glory. All things may not all be good, but God can and will use all things for good.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”  Romans 8:28 NASB

As used here, ‘all things’ means each and every thing. God will weave even our regrettable past into the good we do for Him.

Let’s close with this promise from the Lord.

“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.”  Psalm 37:23-24 NLT

May you have a very godly week!

In love always,