What To Do When You Have Regrets
“Lord, do not forsake me; do not be far from me, my God. Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Savior.” – Psalm 38:21-22
Have you ever looked back on your life and found yourself regretting doing some of the things you did in the past? Or do you regret not doing something you wish you would have done?
Maybe there was a job you shouldn’t have taken, but you got greedy and made an impulse decision. Maybe you got into a relationship after the people closest to you warned you not to, only to have the relationship fail. Or maybe there was a conversation you should have had with someone to pursue reconciliation.
Regardless of the situation, regret is never an easy thing to deal with. King David is just one example of someone who knew firsthand what it was like to live with regret. The entire 38th chapter of Psalms is written by David in his state of regret. This is one of the many lament psalms in which the writer is expression sorrow and regret over past circumstances. But in addition to verbalizing those feelings, these lament psalms also give us scriptural references for how we might go to God when we are weighed down by regret.
After spending the majority of the chapter talking about how he feels troubled and in pain, David closes this psalm but asking the Lord to help him and be close to him. When we are experiencing our own feelings of regret, we would be wise to follow David’s example and turn to God in prayer. Ask the Lord to make His presence known to you. Ask Him for His help and forgiveness, and see how He offers you comfort and peace in the midst of your regret.
Have you ever looked back on your life and found yourself regretting doing some of the things you did in the past? Or do you regret not doing something you wish you would have done?
Maybe there was a job you shouldn’t have taken, but you got greedy and made an impulse decision. Maybe you got into a relationship after the people closest to you warned you not to, only to have the relationship fail. Or maybe there was a conversation you should have had with someone to pursue reconciliation.
Regardless of the situation, regret is never an easy thing to deal with. King David is just one example of someone who knew firsthand what it was like to live with regret. The entire 38th chapter of Psalms is written by David in his state of regret. This is one of the many lament psalms in which the writer is expression sorrow and regret over past circumstances. But in addition to verbalizing those feelings, these lament psalms also give us scriptural references for how we might go to God when we are weighed down by regret.
After spending the majority of the chapter talking about how he feels troubled and in pain, David closes this psalm but asking the Lord to help him and be close to him. When we are experiencing our own feelings of regret, we would be wise to follow David’s example and turn to God in prayer. Ask the Lord to make His presence known to you. Ask Him for His help and forgiveness, and see how He offers you comfort and peace in the midst of your regret.
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