Regrets

Written by cycleguy on December 29th, 2013

There is probably not a person reading this blog who cannot look back on 2013 and say, “I have some regrets.”  My Australian blogging friend, Rodney, wrote an excellent post on regrets.  Check it out please.  I know I have some regrets.

I regret I didn’t deepen my relationship to Jesus more than I did.

I regret I fell and failed more than I should have.

I regret I wasn’t more diligent in saving money and preparing better for retirement than I did.

I regret the times I said what I shouldn’t have said and didn’t say what I should have.

I regret I allowed the enemy to warp my thinking from time to time.

I regret I ate too many things I shouldn’t have and not enough of what I should have.

I regret I lost a friend this year for reasons I still do not know.

I regret when I missed passing along a much-needed word of encouragement.

I regret when I didn’t love my wife as I should.

I regret when I allowed what people thought influence my attitude instead of the other way around.

We could all do and say the same thing.  But really…in the long run…what good does it do?  The past is the past. We learn from it and move on.  I am sure you will hear it so often in the next couple of days you will literally feel like puking choking: “The past is history.  2014 is a clean slate.” So I will add my voice to it.

  • You make 2014 your new history. Rewrite your future.  This movie clip says it all.   Then again, it doesn’t.  While we do not know our future, we have a God who does.  Psalm 37:23 puts it well: “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.” 

Don’t mull over and beat yourself up with regrets.  Move forward in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Make your steps count.

LIVE THE ADVENTURE!!!

What do you plan on doing differently in 2014?

 

17 Comments so far ↓

  1. the Old Adam says:

    I regret all that time I wasted looking inward…focusing on trying to become a “better Christian”…trying to become “holier”.

    Now I realize with great joy that I am declared holy and righteous for Jesus’ sake. And now I am totally free from the religious ascendency project. Totally free…for the neighbor.

    What an awesome God we have!

  2. I plan on running more in 2014.

  3. Daniel says:

    Letting go of regrets is easier said than done. I speak from painful experience.

  4. floyd says:

    It’s a fine line between dwelling on the past in regrets and remembering them to inspire wisdom.

    I’m going to try to push forward and be diligent in seeking God. Without Him all is lost and the future is bleak. With Him it’s as bright as the sun that He powers with His word.

    • cycleguy says:

      I agree Floyd. Proverbs talks about learning and gaining wisdom. No doubt we can learn from the past. Dwelling on them is the problem. Thanks.

  5. Betty Draper says:

    No way to get through this life without regrets but I love the truth that God will use them to conform us into His image…He never waste a thing, even our regrets. I’m not sure I am going to do anything differently and not because I have done all perfectly in 2013. Love this scripture. Psalm 37:23 puts it well: “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.” Want to delight myself in this verse…

    • cycleguy says:

      The verse is so appropriate Betty. Regrets usually mean we fell or failed,, but I am thankful for God’s hand to pick me back up. Thanks.

  6. Ed says:

    I’m going to go back to the Instruction Manual and Live the Adventure for sure…

    Happy New Year Bill!

  7. jeff says:

    No regrets in 2013. Hoping for none in 2014.

  8. Dan Black says:

    Yes, I have a lot of regrets from this year. Mainly the regret about not being more intentional about attending church, which I plan on changing this year.

  9. Thomas Mason says:

    This is a huge one for me: to not carry over into 2014 a particular sin habit that has plagued me for quite some time.