Regrets..I've had a few...

Last Wednesday, we all had a good time during cell at Randy & Jacqui’s home (Thank You to you both!) sharing about what forgiveness means to us. It was a deep and awesome time for me as the members of the cell shared their life experience and some of their deep emotions for edification of others. Really, I felt very blessed by all that happened that evening.

However, one thing that we did not cover is the question of regrets. In the film clip that was shown last Wednesday, Morrie spoke of this to Mitch about his regrets; hardness of heart, things he did not do, and about his late father. Regrets that we have are about things that we need to forgive ourselves for; things we didn’t do when we should have, wrongs we made, hurts we caused. As Jacqui mentioned last Wednesday, forgiving ourselves is perhaps the hardest thing to do.

Having regrets is perhaps a healthy sign. We have them when we realise what role we have played in any strife and are deeply sorry for it. Two things happen when regrets hit us. First, we have finally arrived at the point of seeing a situation from the OTHER person’s point of view realising how hurt or disappointed that person was or is. Secondly, we realise that we too need forgiveness. If we can seek forgiveness from anyone that we have wronged, then the best course of action is to seek out the person and say, “sorry”. But like Morrie, oftentimes we cannot do so. And just as hurting as a wrong unto ourselves, a regret can also be a stronghold in us that grows bitter roots undermining our self confidence and self worth.

This is not the Lord wants for us. He wants to set us free from any hindrance that may stand in the way of our relationship with Him. Colossians 3: 13 says, “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” We have to remember that the Lord has forgiven us. Forgiveness is a character of Christ. We are asked to forgive others as we have been forgiven. When it comes to our regrets, we must forgive ourselves as it is pointless to hold onto something that has ALREADY been forgiven by the Father. If He does not hold our wrong against us, why should we hold onto it ourselves? His forgiveness is our freedom. For John 8:36 says, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” So, accept that we are forgiven for our wrongs. That is the first step towards forgiving ourselves.

Rodney