Truth. Specifically, God’s Truth.
See, nothing shuts down regret faster than Truth.
Regret says, “You could have been a better mother to him.”
Truth says, “I was chosen by God to be his mother. I’m a human. God’s been aware of that all along. He knew I’d need forgiveness and has granted it through His Son.”
Regret says, “Your son is only going to remember the times you failed/yelled/were distracted.”
Truth says, “He’s also going to remember the times I asked for forgiveness, showed up when it was hard, and helped him succeed in crazy, wonderful ways.”
Regret says, “This chapter is over. Look at how you failed.”
Truth says, “Yes, this chapter is over, but a new one is beginning. God will be just as much in the new chapter as He was in the old one. In God’s economy, even our failures can be used for His glory.”
Regret wants me to forget the truth and to only see my life through a lens of loss.
God’s Truth just isn’t having any of that.
No, God’s Truth redeems and makes things whole again. His Truth calms storms and heals the sick. His Truth even takes the ordinary, everyday mistakes of a mom in Alabama and uses them to teach and mold a boy into the image of His Son. Go figure. God does amazing things. Held up against that kind of power, regret doesn’t stand a chance!
When regret invites you out onto the dance floor, you have a choice whether or not you’ll go. You can tell it to take a hike. Truth is what shows it back to its seat.
And if you find yourself out on the dance floor wishing you hadn’t agreed to dance in the first place, remember that you don’t have to let regret take the lead. It is pushy, but ridiculously weak. At their core, bullies usually are, you know. You can totally overtake it with truth. In no time at all, you’ll see regret sulk away. Bless its heart…it tries so hard.
So, whatever season of life you find yourself in, remember that God’s Truth covers every situation you face!
And regret?
Well, you really don’t have much time for that, do you?
You’ve got too much of a life to live! You’ve got people to love! It’s way more fun to dance with them, anyway.
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This article originally appeared at Shadesofmercyandgrace.com.
