Letting Go of Old Regrets: 5 Spiritual Principles

“If only I had not… “I just can’t ever forgive myself…”, “I’m no good and worthless because of what I did…”, “If anyone knew what I did, I would be hated, and God would never forgive me”. 

Old regrets are like spiritual and emotional anchors that way you down from experiencing a spiritually free and abundant life.  In the Bible, many passages deal with the relationship of God’s forgiveness of our sins and forgiving ourselves.

Let’s explore just five of them to get a positive perspective of why it’s so important to let get of our old regrets (note: all Bible verses are taken from the New International Version (NIV):

Take Responsibility for Our Sinful Actions:

We have first to acknowledge our wrongdoing.  This is spiritually and emotionally quite freeing! It can free us from “hidden guilt,” which is not only wrong but very unhealthy. (Psalm 32:5)

Sincerely Asking God for Forgiveness:

Asking God for forgiveness is not a rote prescription that we say without understanding what we’re asking for!  Asking God for forgiveness is a personal, sincere, and heartfelt request.

Believing that we are truly loved and forgiven by God calms our minds, bodies, and spirits. (2 Corinthians 7:10; Isaiah 43:18-19)

Turn from Wrongdoings as an Act of Love for God, Not Out of Fear:

Because God has eternally saved us through the death of His Son (Jesus), we should love Him for His grace, love, and mercy towards us. (Micah 7:18-19; Proverbs 28:13)

God Will Forgive Us:

Again, God is a merciful, loving God!  (Hebrews 8:12; Isaiah 43:25) 

Forgiving Ourselves: (1 John 1:9): 

If we truly believe that the Creator of this universe unconditionally and deeply loves us, then what gives us the right to not forgive ourselves?  That’s a form of pride (“we know what’s better for us than God does”), which God hates. (James 4:6; Proverbs 16:18)

God loves us unconditionally and wants to show us grace and mercy.  Does that mean that we can go out and do/say/think anything we want?  Of course not.  Because of God’s sinless nature, He can only forgive us of our ins through the redemptive sacrifice on the cross of His Son, Jesus (the perfect sacrifice) over two thousand years ago (John 3:16-17).

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