Suffering: Bitter Regret, Like Peter

Godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

2 Corinthians 7:10 (NKJV)

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9 (ESV)

All “If only’s”, “what-if’s”, and “could have beens” are blasts from the past shot from Satan’s gun!

  • “If only He had stayed in Capernaum…

  • “If only He had listened to reason…

  • “If only He hadn't challenged the priests…

  • “If only Judas hadn't betrayed us…

  • “If only all of us had stayed and fought….

  • “If only I hadn't been so frightened…

  • “How could I have denied that I knew Him?”

  • “How can I go on bearing so much shame?”

In all of these bad-thought combinations, Peter was caught in a web of regret!*

Bitter regret is hindsighted sorrow: a twisted alliance of grief and guilt. Because when eyes get stuck looking backward…

They can't see the right path to move forward. Perhaps Peter's three-fold confirmations helped him kick regret out of his picture.*

Also consider these Verses from Paul, the reformed persecutor of Christians. If Paul wallowed in a pit of regret, how could God have used him to change the world?

'Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus' (Philippians 3:13-14).

'For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death' (2 Corinthians 7:10).

Actors, models, and talent for Christ:

Don't allow the prison bars of regret keep you from reaching God’s destinations. If any loved ones start guilt-tripping you, love them back, but don't get “bound” by their words.

Recall that love 'Keeps no record of wrongs' (1 Corinthians 13:5). Also, recall His mindset instructions:

‘Do not call to mind the former things,
Or ponder things of the past.
Behold, I will do something new,
Now it will spring forth' (Isaiah 43:18-19).

So don't get stuck in a rear-view mirror. Dwell in Jesus and keep walking forward.

Suffering: Bitter Regret, Like Peter (Part 43)

* In John 21, the resurrected Christ asks Peter if he loves Him three time. Peter answers yes-yes-yes. Short article: Why did Jesus ask Peter 'Do you love me?' three times? Why did Jesus ask Peter “Do you love me?” three times? | GotQuestions.org

NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God! We’re ALL called to be actors (action stars) for Jesus. We’re ALL called to models of Jesus, and we ALL have gifts, talents, and callings from God–  to multiply them in the world for His glory.

P.S. NO DEVOTION, PREACHER, or SERMON… can begin to replace personal time in the Bible. I wholeheartedly and clear-headedly recommend READING THE BIBLE DAILY.

WARNING: Don’t focus on favorite verses, because out of context, they’re often misinterpreted. I plead with you to READ AT LEAST 1 BIBLE CHAPTER DAILY. How long does it take? An average of 5 to 10 minutes!

Carey Arban