How can we handle guilt and regret over our past decisions?
(Ezra 9:6) – and prayed: “I am too ashamed and disgraced, my God, to lift up my face to you, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens.
As every psychiatrist knows, unresolved guilt and brooding regret are significant blocks to healthy living.
Ezra 9:6 KJV
[6] and said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.
https://bible.com/bible/1/ezr.9.6.KJV
Unresolved guilt and brooding regret are significant blocks to Healthy Living.
How can we handle guilt and regret over our past decisions?
The Bible emphasizes self-analysis and awareness (Ps 139:1–24),
confession and repentance (Ps 32:1–11; 51:1–19; Jas 5:16), and forgiveness (Mt 6:14) as elements of a sound spiritual lifestyle.
But the past cannot be altered.
Therefore, it is also important to accept what has happened and learn how to live with the consequences of our choices and decisions.
Once the consequences are acknowledged and dealt with (Ps 51:1–19),
and the lessons are learned (Ps 107:1–43), we must be able to forgive ourselves because God forgives us.
We need to forgive ourselves so that we can move ahead with hope into the future.
Forgiving ourselves is not always easy, nor is it a matter only of individual concern.
How can we handle guilt and regret over our past decisions?
The teachings of the Bible indicate that self-forgiveness is a spiritual journey that takes place best in community.
It is often within the faith community that we come to understand that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Ro 8:1).
And It is there that we find the grace, forgiveness and comfort of both God and others (2Co 1:3–7; 2:7).
It is there that we can confess our sins to God and others and be healed (Jas 5:16; 1Jn 1:9).
And “community” isn’t limited to church congregations.
There are many communities of faith working to help people heal from the consequences of their past choices.
Find the communities of faith all around, you can get help from people who respond constructively to the tortures of an imperfect past.
Also Read: Worry for Nothing. – Diademng (thediademng.org)
How can we handle guilt and regret over our past decisions?
