Regrets

See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. (Isaiah 65:17 NIV)

Life's regrets are a natural part of living. Regrets can range from not pursuing a dream, not taking a chance, or simply not expressing yourself to another. Regrets are painful and can cause emotional turmoil, but it is worthwhile to remember that regrets are opportunities for growth and lessons learned. Why? Regrets can move you toward your God-given destiny.

Learn to use regrets as a catalyst to open our knowledge about life’s true essence. When Isaiah penned the vision from God to encourage the exiled Israelites, he reminded them that God would recreate new heavens and a new earth. This statement makes us realize that regrets are less relevant when the final result differs from imagined regret.

I live in a small community with few professional jobs, and many youths relocate to find better careers. Yet, their parents remained in this small community and in the same house where they raised their children. When parents pass away, these houses become vacant after a period of time. So, these vacated, old houses become eyes sores to the ones living in the community. Because time gradually conquers these homes with overgrown bushes and weather-beaten roofs, they become worthless. Yet, the heirs continue to pay the property taxes, thinking it is the same as they left, or it may bring them wealth if the right buyer comes along. In other words, they are holding to nostalgia, a form of regret, while hindering their chances of moving beyond. If the heirs could combine their resources to revitalize their home house, it would become beneficial for future heirs. Consequently, the heirs enter a regretful mentality, and the property is left to the whims of time, benefiting only nature.

In other words, we regret what we cannot see and demonstrate pleasure in what we can see. If you use regret to open your spiritual eyes, you may see something distinctive. The natural realm is in a state of groaning and moaning as it evolves into a new creation. Put another way, the natural realm exists with painful events equating to numerous regrets. Even the Apostle Paul states as follows: We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. (Romans 8:22‭-‬23 NIV‬) Another way of interpreting these verses is that our world is filled with regrets because of the original sin administered by our ancestors, Adam and Eve. In contrast, the spiritual realm applies a different agenda centered around peace and righteousness.

However, throughout the Scriptures, we are reminded that what we see will dissolve in this world. Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? (2 Peter 3:12)

If you look again with your spiritual eyes into your regrets, you will see an opportunity for reflection, as noted in the Apostle Peter’s statement Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God. This statement does not mean that your regret will change when the day of the Lord occurs, but you should shift your outlook to pleasing God and doing His will instead of regretting because the day of the Lord is coming. If your soul rests on the factor of magnanimity instead of regret, then you will realize the insignificance of regrets but the significance of inheriting a new creation with your new body of redemption. ‬‬‬

So, I encourage you to toss up your regrets as lessons learned while focusing on the positive aspect, which centers on God’s glory. If you look back, don’t view the loss as regretful but understand the process as a necessary segment of groaning and moaning that this world endures while waiting for the day of the Lord. Thus, use regrets to link your soul to the glory of God.