The Joy of Regret
by Cynthia Jennings on April 17, 2019The Joy of Regret
Ohhhh no…why did I do that!!! OMG I should not have said that! Why am I even over here! Why did I listen to…..!
At some point in our lives we have all said these words followed by days, months, and or years of the mental barrage of “why.” There are often times in our lives where we as women don’t want to think about let alone admit to some of the things we’ve said or done. The reasoning of not wanting to think about or admit to the “it” is rooted in regret. You’re not alone! There are things in ALL of our lives that we truly regret.
With regret comes shame and embarrassment. But with regret also comes growth and with growth comes joy. Not just any type of joy but Joy in Jesus Christ.
You see, I will admit! I have lived portions of my life with regret and the looming “why” that dominated my mind. During that season the enemy tried his best to take me out. I was knocked down often and left with some scars. But when I look back at the “why” that use to dominate my mind I no longer feel shame, embarrassment, dejected or defeated. Now when I think about the “why” I feel joy unspeakable joy!
You are probably wondering; how can anyone get joy out of regret? My actions and words caused regret. The regret conceived and birthed the “why.” Had it not been for the “why” and the grace God extended to me while in the “why” I would not have known how much God loves me.
For me, and I pray for you as well, the “why” pushed me towards God even when I did not understand His love for me. The “why” drove me to wanting to learn more about God through His son Jesus Christ. The “why” taught me how to trust in the guidance of The Holy Spirit. Thus, resulting in me now being able to say “I have JOY OF REGRET!”
Some of you are saying, but you just don’t understand the reason (s) why I made the choice to react the way I did. If “they” had not done or said…..then I would not have done or said…….Oh, but I do understand! In the midst of the regret it is difficult to see the joy. But hold on and push through. The journey of the Joy of the regret is not fun nor easy, but in the end, it is well worth the trip.
Pearl to Ponder: The Joy of regret is not rooted in the action or reason of the regret disappearing. But, in the perspective based on God’s view.
Romans 5:3-5 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Ohhhh no…why did I do that!!! OMG I should not have said that! Why am I even over here! Why did I listen to…..!
At some point in our lives we have all said these words followed by days, months, and or years of the mental barrage of “why.” There are often times in our lives where we as women don’t want to think about let alone admit to some of the things we’ve said or done. The reasoning of not wanting to think about or admit to the “it” is rooted in regret. You’re not alone! There are things in ALL of our lives that we truly regret.
With regret comes shame and embarrassment. But with regret also comes growth and with growth comes joy. Not just any type of joy but Joy in Jesus Christ.
You see, I will admit! I have lived portions of my life with regret and the looming “why” that dominated my mind. During that season the enemy tried his best to take me out. I was knocked down often and left with some scars. But when I look back at the “why” that use to dominate my mind I no longer feel shame, embarrassment, dejected or defeated. Now when I think about the “why” I feel joy unspeakable joy!
You are probably wondering; how can anyone get joy out of regret? My actions and words caused regret. The regret conceived and birthed the “why.” Had it not been for the “why” and the grace God extended to me while in the “why” I would not have known how much God loves me.
For me, and I pray for you as well, the “why” pushed me towards God even when I did not understand His love for me. The “why” drove me to wanting to learn more about God through His son Jesus Christ. The “why” taught me how to trust in the guidance of The Holy Spirit. Thus, resulting in me now being able to say “I have JOY OF REGRET!”
Some of you are saying, but you just don’t understand the reason (s) why I made the choice to react the way I did. If “they” had not done or said…..then I would not have done or said…….Oh, but I do understand! In the midst of the regret it is difficult to see the joy. But hold on and push through. The journey of the Joy of the regret is not fun nor easy, but in the end, it is well worth the trip.
Pearl to Ponder: The Joy of regret is not rooted in the action or reason of the regret disappearing. But, in the perspective based on God’s view.
Romans 5:3-5 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
