We don’t have to live a long life to have regrets. It is one of the common themes that people tell their pastors or best friends. We all have them from the trivial, “I wish I bought Apple stock way back when”, to “I wish I had stayed in better shape“, to “I never got to say I was sorry before my loved one died”. Regrets come in all shapes and sizes and are one of the thieves of our happiness. Many of us can’t find happiness because of the backlog of regret. I am not a psychologist, but I am convinced that we have got to make peace with our past if we are going to have the fullness of life that God intended.

So, what does that look like? People: most of us have a gripe or a grief with someone in our past or present. Someone has hurt us, and we are carrying that hurt today. In some cases, the wrongdoer is not alive and sometimes we have to deal with them daily. We don’t want them to forget our hurt and let them off the hook, so we carry that hurt with us. I am convinced that the only one being hurt is us. No matter what our hurt, we must let it go. If we forgive, it may cost us something, but it can also lift a burden. If there is a broken relationship in your life, do what you can to ask forgiveness in person, on the phone or go old-school and write a letter. Even if the person is dead or won’t accept a letter, write it anyway because you are the one being helped. Do what you can do!

Actions: If we regret that we missed some opportunity in the past, I am sorry to say that there is nothing we can do to get a do-over but we can take action today. Make peace with yourself about those past decisions and ask yourself, “what can I do today?” If you are not in the shape you would like to be, ask yourself, “can I walk a little?” If I can’t do a push-up, “can I do a ‘push away’ from the table or not open that bag of snacks”. How can I use my time to make a difference? Is there somewhere I can volunteer? Is there someone who needs some help or encouragement? Make the most of the time we have, because time is still moving.

God: Whatever you believe, I am convinced that we must also ask God’s forgiveness in order to be truly free. “I am sorry” goes a long way to receiving the forgiveness that God can give and the burden lifted can last eternity.