How about a celebration party instead of a pity party?!?
While reading about how God works in Genesis 50:20, a beautiful reminder of redemption tells us that what Satan meant for evil, God meant for good. It's all about God's sovereignty. To reinforce that concept, in Romans 8:28, we are told that it doesn't matter what has happened, what is happening, or what will happen - if we give it to God, he'll use it for our good. In his ultimate plan, he can use anything. Even things that seem terrible on the surface. We aren't seeing what God is doing behind the scenes. If we allow God to work, He can redeem the years.
Because of this, there doesn't need to be regret. If we can truly trust that God is going to work things for good, we don't need to have regret over things that we did - or shouldn't have done. That means everything - not just some things! No more saying "if only" or "I wish" or "too bad". Can we allow God to work his supernatural magic to make everything work together for our good? It requires us to let go of things and trust him, though. No more pity parties!!
Also, close on the heels of regret is condemnation. We're so good at telling ourselves off and blaming ourselves for not doing something right. If you're hearing a voice - disguised as your own - bringing a feeling of guilt, you can be sure it is Satan talking to you! God never dishes out condemnation. Don't let Satan bootstrap his lying self onto a lesson that the Holy Spirit is trying to teach you for good! Yes, when we do consider doing something contrary to what God wants, His Holy Spirit is immediately there to say "no" - but if we fail at that moment, God doesn't condemn - he lovingly points us back in the direction we should go. That lesson is eventually learned if we continue to listen to the Spirit. I wish I could say it happens quickly, but in my case, it takes many times before I'm able to have victory over what seems to be a simple thing. During the teaching time, God shows us mercy - not condemnation. So maybe instead of allowing Satan to jump in and start blaming, we could instead thank God for the lesson, knowing we're a step closer to having victory! Sometimes the very first step is recognizing our sin. It may even take several times for the very same thing to happen before our brains recognize what we're doing! At that point, our response should be to thank God for showing us our sin and then ask for forgiveness. That's it - there isn't a third step of condemnation!!
So let's circle back around and connect the dots, shall we?
Quit living with regret over past problems, situations, hurts, missed opportunities, wrong decisions, or inaction.
Give the thing to God and claim Genesis 50:20 - what was meant for evil, God meant for good.
Move forward with new insight and confidence that you're not there anymore because you're being transformed (remembering that transformation doesn't take place in a pit of despair!)
Memorize Romans 8:1 that states there is no condemnation. If you hear a voice telling you off or reminding you that you're a failure - yet again - just recognize whose voice that is! It is not God's, it is the enemy's, and you should quit helping him with his mission of destruction.
Remember who you are and whose you are! You are royalty - the King is on your side - He will never condemn you! And just in case you question that, remember that your debt has already been paid - remind the accuser of that also!!
