Regrets: Part 2

What are some of the issues and life lessons that people have learned about regrets?

1. Saying hurtful words during a heated argument. An argument is usually characterized by two or more people speaking and zero people listening.   Rather than say something that you don’t mean,take the time to cool off so that a productive conversation can replace the emotional outburst.
2. Placing too much value on things.
3. Being too committed to a job. Countless people look back at the end of their career and realize that they missed out on what was really important-because it was not at work.  Don’t wind up bitter and angry because you’ve sacrificed your life to make a living.
4. Focusing so much on the future that you forget to live. Many people have this regret when they become gravely ill,get stricken with a disability,or they reach old age.  Life is always happening right now.  Don’t put off enjoying life until you have more time,more money,the right mate,or a better plan.  Another year,month,day,or even second is not guaranteed.
5. Holding a grudge. No matter what the circumstances,it is never worth it to hold a grudge.  Many people spend years being mad at someone who has wronged them,only to realize that the only person hurt by their resentment is them.
6. Being too prideful to say “I’m sorry.” It is hard to forgive yourself when you deprive another person of their right to an apology.  Those 2 simple words,when spoken with sincerity,can heal hearts and mend relationships. If you know you’ve done something that you’re not proud of,don’t hold off on apologizing until it’s too late.
7. Being too afraid to take a chance. Missed opportunities are one of the most common types of regret.  Fear,which never leads to anything desirable,should not be the basis of your decisions.  If that little voice inside says “do it,” you may regret ignoring it.
8. Crying over spilled milk. Time spent dwelling over things that you cannot change is time wasted. And most people regret wasting time.  The past has passed,so don’t miss out on the present by focusing on what’s already done.
9. Gossiping. We all do it sometimes,but it can definitely get you in trouble.  It sucks to find out you’ve been saying something about someone that turns out to be an inaccurate rumor.  Even if the information is true,spreading it can lead to hurt feelings and anger.  Let others choose how,when,and to whom they want to share their personal information.
10. Telling lies. Lying is the easiest way to lose a person’s trust. You may find that you have to tell a lie to cover up the first lie,and then another to cover that one,and another,and another. As it spins out of control,you realize that the first lie wasn’t worth the headache.
11. Choosing a job or career for the wrong reasons. Because most people spend more waking hours at work than at home,life feels miserable when you don’t like the way you’re making a living. You’ve set yourself up for regret if you choose a career solely based on money,influence from parents,or any reason other than that you’ll enjoy it.  Doing what you love and it won’t feel like work.
12. Neglecting your body. The body will slowly fall apart if you don’t give it proper care.  Ensure a better quality of life by eating right,exercising,visiting the dentist regularly,and getting annual medical check-ups.
13. Not speaking up. There are times when keeping your mouth closed is for the Highest good,but there are times when speaking up is difficult yet necessary.  You’ll regret pretending not to know the difference.
14. Not expressing your feelings to loved ones. It’s not fun to be the person speaking through guilt while expressing their feelings at a loved one’s funeral.  Let people know how you feel before it’s too late.
15. Holding back the tears. Some people are so opposed to crying that they will hold tears and pain inside until it surfaces as physical illness,violent anger,or deep depression.
16. Not saying thank you. If you overlook the need to show appreciation,you may find that people are less willing to offer you something to appreciate in the future.
17. Worrying too much. Every moment spent thinking of what could go wrong is a complete waste of time.  Most issues work themselves out just fine,thus you look back and shake your head at all of the time you spent worrying about it.  Even if a problem doesn’t’ work out the way you’d like,you’ll regret adding an additional layer of unhealthy stress by worrying about it.
18. Betraying a friend. True friendship is one of the most valuable gifts one can ever receive.  Those who make choices that lead to the loss of a friend,find themselves living with the pain of regret. Honor your friends and follow the golden rule.

19. Making promises that you cannot,or will not,keep. Although there may be hurt feelings,
      people will easily forgive an outright refusal. 

In order to live a life without regrets,we need to know what to live for. The world has it all wrong. They say you only live once so go ahead and grab everything  you can. Party hard,live loose because when you die,that’s it. This philosophy teaches that the only thing to live for is immediate satisfaction and gratification. It teaches that the highest purpose in life is to be happy and pain free. But the Bible paints a very different picture of life. In fact,we are warned not to love this world nor the things in this world. To live a life of no regrets,we must learn what is important in life. We have to learn to trade monuments of man’s achievements for moments in God’s presence. You see,there is a place in God where all this world’s goods loose their lustre. Paul lived with no regrets because he kept eternity in view. He wasn’t preoccupied with this temporary life. This is why he was able to say that he had learned to be content in whatever state he was in. He knew what it was to be destitute and he knew what it was to have money left at the end of the month. These things really didn’t matter to him because his priority was to live his life in forward; to keep growing in his relationship with God and to declare the gospel to as many people as he possibly could.

Paul fought the good fight and kept the faith because he refused to be sucked in by the world’s philosophies. God was the priority in his life. Notice I said The priority,not a priority. To live a life without regrets,God has to be number 1 in our lives. There are so many things clamouring for our time and attention. We can get so caught up in everyday living that we ignore the author of life. We merely exist from day to day but truly have no life. Jesus said it so eloquently in Matthew 6 when he said,”But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Can I ask you ..  what are you living for? What is the priority in your life? Is God in His rightful place? In the Old Testament whenever the children ofIsrael would set up camp,they would set up the tabernacle and then set up their tents around the tabernacle. It occupied the centre of their lives and community. Is God the centre of your life or does He have to compete with all the other things bidding for your time? To live a life of no regrets,God must be the priority in our lives.