Day 36 "Dealing with Regrets"

Why do we wind up doing things that we later regret? Do we put our own interest before the interest of others? Do we not think about the ramifications of our actions before doing them? Do we not leave ourselves enough time to think through our choices before acting upon them? Maybe we just don't care what happens? Perhaps, it just looked like too much fun and exciting to pass up! Whatever the reason, it's not enjoyable having to live with one's regrets. "Why did I do that?" we chastise ourselves. "What an idiot!" we cast judgement in our despair.

What's done is done. We can try to repair the damage. We can beat ourselves up. We can make an oath never to do it again. We can try to make amends. But the helpful question is why did we let it happen in the first place so that we can learn from it and make an adjustment not to do it again. This takes real honesty with ourselves. Once you have identified the real reason(s) why, I would like to give you two things to consider that may help you from having regrets in the future.

First, to realize the error in your thinking the first time so as not to repeat it the second time. I remember coming across a particular verse in chapter 6 of Romans that really made an impact on me. Paul had been making an logical argument to the Christians in Rome about not sinning-even though we are under grace.

"What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?" Romans 6:1-2

"For we know that our old self was crucified with him (by faith) so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin- because anyone who has died has been freed from sin." Romans 6:6-7

"Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master because you are not under law, but under grace."

Romans 6:13-14

It's a good, logical argument of reason that Paul is laying down for those in Rome, as well as for us, too! It makes sense. Look at what Jesus has done for you. Think about the price and the cost! He died to pay the penalty for our sins. After such a sacrifice, do you really want to keep sinning knowing what Jesus went through to make you holy and justified before the Heavenly Father? But then, Paul adds this verse as if to say if the argument that I just made doesn't keep you from sinning, then consider this:

"What benefit did you reap at the time from the things you are now ashamed of?" Romans 6:21

Bulls-eye! Paul hit me right between the eyes with this verse. What benefit did I reap? What was my original motive? Why did I do what I did? What was I hoping to get out of it?

Whatever I thought was going to be a positive, led me to being remorseful and ashamed.

When I say that verse, I decided that I would try much harder in the future to be aware of why I was doing what I was doing and whether it would be beneficial to myself and to others.

Which leads me to the other thing to encourage you. You can't go wrong when your motive in what your are doing is led by love.

"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law." Romans 13:8

"...whatever other commandment there may be (you fill in the blank), are summed up in this one rule: Love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." Romans 13:9-10

"For Christ's love compels us." 2 Corinthians 5:14

"And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again." Romans 5:15

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:3-4

There are basically two things that are required for those who are believers and followers of Christ: 1) Believe in the name of Jesus Christ, and 2) love one another.

"And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us." 1 John 3:23

*********************************************************************

Can you imagine what the world would look like if we all made our choices and decisions after taking into account other people's interests before acting out? When you realize whose you are and what you are, it makes a big difference in the way you act.

Carpe Momentum in love!

(Seize the moment in love!)

Make a difference in someone else's life today. See you tomorrow...