Scripture Reading

“Brothers and sisters…one thing I have laid hold of: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal, toward the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 3:13-14 (NRSVUE)

Definition of ‘Regret’: ‘[A] feeling of sadness, repentance, or disappointment over an occurrence or something that one has done or failed to do.’ Oxford Language Dictionary (on-line)

Introductory Remarks: 

The Holy Bible can be used in two ways: To harm or To heal. In New Thought Christianity, the Holy Bible is used to heal false beliefs & feelings that create a sense of separation between us and the goodness of God. 

Thoughts and feelings of regret hinder us from experiencing the healthy, happy, prosperous, and successful life that is God’s will for you and me. The Bible helps us ‘flip the script on our regrets.’

Major Points of the Lesson:

1. Regret is two fold: It can focus your mind on lessons learned from the mistake. Or, it can convince the mind that it is ‘stuck’ in the mistake because you are and can never be anything other than a ‘Big Mistake.’ 
2. The Bible helps us to flip the script on our regrets.
   1. No matter how ‘great’ the regret, God’s love for us is greater. Luke 15:11-32
   2. Forgiveness enables us to focus ‘forward’ rather than ‘in life’s rear view window of regret.’ Philippians 3:13-14
   3. We can trust in God’s plan, even when we fall short. Proverbs 16:9
   4. New possibilities await us even as we are feeling ‘regretful.’ Isaiah 48:18-19 

Quote: 

“Everyone makes mistakes. However, we are not ‘a mistake’. We are spiritual beings, made in God’s image. What God is, we are. Since God isn’t a mistake, neither are we.”

Sheila McKeithen

ASSIGNMENT:

Stand in front of the mirror daily and declare: “I have flipped the script on my regrets. I AM now free to be who God designed me to be.”