My tears have been my
meat day and night...
Psalm 42:3
I have often been asked the question, "David, do you have any regrets?"
meat day and night...
Psalm 42:3
I have often been asked the question, "David, do you have any regrets?"
I do. Dozens of them. From big ones to small, they would make for a long list, and a sad one, too. Because along with "Regret" I must include "Sorrow." She's Regret's twin sister, and its constant companion. In fact
it's hard to separate the two.
In addition, along with them comes "Pain." This being an emotional kind of pain that many will agree often strikes whenever Regret and Sorrow are present. And there are yet other culprits who will likewise show up to join them, thus adding to one's struggle.
These villainous visitors are Guilt, Grief, and Shame. All of them working together to bring out the worst within the realm of regret. I know this firsthand as I have tangled with every one of them throughout my lifetime. In fact, one of my biggest regrets is allowing a "spirit of Regret," if I could refer to it as such, to spend too much time inside my head.
Nevertheless, since giving my life to Jesus and making my peace with God, I am learning how to neutralize Regret and overcome it so that it can no longer do its deadly work. These days I am seeing how I can use regret to my advantage, and for my own inner growth and overall betterment.
Having regret can allow me to reflect on my own actions, and to think of ways to make things right whenever possible. It can also help me to depend more on the Lord for the strength to overcome regret and its companions. This, I believe, will then lead me to a stronger level of faith and hope in God.
Nowadays, I no longer allow regret to haunt me. Yes, I will always regret my crimes and the loss of innocent lives. I will always regret the hurt and shame I brought upon my own family, and the relationships I ruined. But in Christ, I am learning how to forgive myself while letting go of regret at the same time.
Like King David who shed many tears over his sins, I have shed many tears over mine, as well... And also, like the David of old, my tears of regret and sadness are being turned into tears of joy.
The Lord still has much work left for me to do. So I've no time to spend swimming in a sea of regret.
D.B.
it's hard to separate the two.
In addition, along with them comes "Pain." This being an emotional kind of pain that many will agree often strikes whenever Regret and Sorrow are present. And there are yet other culprits who will likewise show up to join them, thus adding to one's struggle.
These villainous visitors are Guilt, Grief, and Shame. All of them working together to bring out the worst within the realm of regret. I know this firsthand as I have tangled with every one of them throughout my lifetime. In fact, one of my biggest regrets is allowing a "spirit of Regret," if I could refer to it as such, to spend too much time inside my head.
Nevertheless, since giving my life to Jesus and making my peace with God, I am learning how to neutralize Regret and overcome it so that it can no longer do its deadly work. These days I am seeing how I can use regret to my advantage, and for my own inner growth and overall betterment.
Having regret can allow me to reflect on my own actions, and to think of ways to make things right whenever possible. It can also help me to depend more on the Lord for the strength to overcome regret and its companions. This, I believe, will then lead me to a stronger level of faith and hope in God.
Nowadays, I no longer allow regret to haunt me. Yes, I will always regret my crimes and the loss of innocent lives. I will always regret the hurt and shame I brought upon my own family, and the relationships I ruined. But in Christ, I am learning how to forgive myself while letting go of regret at the same time.
Like King David who shed many tears over his sins, I have shed many tears over mine, as well... And also, like the David of old, my tears of regret and sadness are being turned into tears of joy.
The Lord still has much work left for me to do. So I've no time to spend swimming in a sea of regret.
D.B.
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