Such a waste of time… not to mention energy and emotion. However, that logic doesn’t seem to affect our use of regrets. Evidence of our sorrow is seen in our actions. How we handle this – what we do… or don’t do – is the evidence of who we are and how we deal with this. Question: can you still do ‘something’ about the ‘situation’? If so stop wasting time and do it! If not… then learn from the lost opportunity and move on.
Regret is in the same category as ‘worry’: an act we engage in that serves no useful purpose. Webster defines regret as: “sorrow aroused by circumstances beyond one’s control or power to repair.” Beyond one’s control or power… I’m not suggesting that we ignore the feelings, just that we don’t let them control… at least for very long. Blindsided seems to evoke some of the same emotions – especially its unexpectedness. Everyone seems to have their own list of additions. Point being – these emotions are familiar, you can easily recognize them in what you do and say. But for how long do you allow them to rule you?
Do you remember Numbers 11:23 / Isaiah 59:1:
“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his
ear dull, that it cannot hear;”
So why don’t we immediately realize that the quickest and most effective way out of regret is to turn to the Lord and seek His way? Partially, I think, is because we either don’t feel we deserve His help or we feel we should get ourselves out of (fill in the blank) feeling by ourselves. Simply because I believe that turning to the Lord is the most effective, does not mean that I personally follow my own advice. But… I do try.
I find regret to be a huge waste of time and get quite irritated with myself when I seem to be in that place. I also realize that forgiveness may or may not be a part of restoring into a more proactive lifestyle approach. But once I get out of a form of pity party and am about my now rather than yesterday’s – it is the Lord who has led me by my hand back to my path and journey.
