Getting back on the Bus...

So, now that we have spent the last week IDENTIFYING our REGRETS...lets spend a day (or two!) on a few practical things to get PAST OUR REGRETS.


The question of the day is:
How do I get past the past?
hm...good question....and we have to face some our classic excuses that keep us soaking in our swampy wilderness of regrets.


1. "It is NOT all my fault anyway."...it. does. NOT. matter.(period.)there is ZERO wiggle room here gals. It is really easy to pass the buck and look at everything the other person has done.
Obviously-you know that there is a problem because it keeps pressing the replay button. So deal with it...own YOUR part in it. Don't let the other person's part in it cloud your vision to get out of YOUR swamp. You are only responsible for your part in an issue and you can PURPOSELY CHOOSE to walk the higher road of humility. Honestly ask yourself if the tables were turned...would you need an apology? would you need compensation? would you want the other person to make things right?...if the answer is YES...than lets get down to business and take the leap to freedom from those regrets THROUGH CONFESSION.


2. " I have forgiven myself but I am eaten up because they haven't forgiven me."   ok-that. hurts. big. time. A constant prick in the side and every time you see them-or they avoid you- is another visit back to the mire of regret. What can be done for release?? BEGIN PRAYING FOR THAT PERSON. See them as Jesus sees them. They are walking in their own wilderness, too and they need YOUR prayers. Be specific-be bold-and intercede for them...it is really hard to stay bitter at someone you are earnestly praying for. Make sure that you have done your part in asking if there is still some issues between you-and if there is....(see #1 above!!!) Sometimes the prickly cactus folks are just that. Sometimes God calls you out of relationships that are toxic...and that is ok. Don't easily shrug off relationships at the drop of a hat-but if the circle keeps going around and drama is right in the middle, ask God about it.


3. " It is too late to make things right."...not always, gals. Remember what Beth said...if you are still breathing and you didn't die during Tuesdays session-THERE IS HOPE! YOU HAVE A SECOND CHANCE. But,sometimes, it is too late. Death makes it seem impossible to heal the past regrets...Oh, the things I should/ should NOT have said or done... TAKE THAT TO JESUS. POUR IT OUT BEFORE HIM IN ALL OF THE ANGER, FEAR, FRUSTRATION, HURT AND WHATEVER ELSE IS RAGING THROUGH YOU. Take it to the one who knows the other side of the story. IF YOU HAVE DONE EVERYTHING HUMANLY POSSIBLE TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT-OR EVEN IF YOU HAVEN'T BECAUSE IT CAN'T BE DONE....simply. rest. REST in the knowledge that you are forgiven by God-He sees your heart and knows the depths of your sincerity. There is a peace that passes understanding-so call upon the Prince of Peace. It might be helpful to talk it over with a professional-even though that person is gone, try physically writing a letter to God about your past...let it all out-ask for forgiveness...take it to the graveside read it aloud and spend some time in prayer there...write the date on the note as a reminder that GOD HAS MADE A WAY FOR YOUR REGRETS TO BE FINISHED.


4. "oh-you don't know what I have done."  nope. I. don't...and I don't need to know-and quite frankly- not everyone SHOULD know about your past. (no-you don't need to post it on FACE BOOK!) But God does know -he was right that in the middle of it-eyes wide open-seeing every awful thing...so it is really not a surprise to him. He is grieving over this too. The fact that Scripture says...that "there is nothing new under the sun" ... means that you aren't the first person in the world that did THAT, that thought THAT, that said THAT, that condoned THAT, that went THERE, that went out with THEM... gluttony, anorexia, abortion,  slander, lying, fornication, alcohol, drugs, malicious gossip, stealing, adultery, cheating...the list is endless. Check out some really major bloopers in the lives of David, Rahab, Thomas, Peter, Moses... Adam and Eve for crying out loud...God has only worked with ONE perfect person throughout history...and it wasn't you. GOD MADE PROVISONS FOR YOUR SIN AND MINE.  So, just be real with God today-let God do what he does best-FORGIVE. You might need to talk with a professional to work out some of the ramifications and the deep issues that come along with stuff...so take advantage of that--make the call-get help- get a group of trusted friends to support you along the way-to talk with-ones that will encourage you.


5. " My mind is a steel trap-I can't let it go." Bingo. Let's RENEW the mind...and the only way to renew the mind is through Scripture. Hide it in your heart and it will travel to the mind and recreate the broken places. Get a concordance  (or just take your Bible!) and begin reading-searching-underlining promises! Write them out on notecards and tack them around the house/work- on mirrors-car dashes-window sills-desks-night stands. Be crazy with notecards!!! When the accuser comes throughout your day/night...your weapons of warfare are right beside you! Slay the beast of regret with the Sword of the Spirit! You might really be surprised how many other people are blessed by the posting, too. If you don't know where to begin-feel free to grab a friend and ask for help in finding those promises.(feel free to mail me,too-I have a HUGE list!!!)


HUMILITY GOES A LONG WAY ON THE ROAD OUT OF THE SWAMP.  In every path to the promised land-you will need the jewel of humility. These are tough issues-these are hard things and each one of us has a list of regrets. But, laying aside our pride and reaching out is the very thing that will break us free.


LETS GET OUR BOOTS ON AND WALK IT OUT...and know that you are being prayed for today.


"All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him." ~Isaiah 53:6


CHRIST IS OUR PERFECT EXAMPLE-SO LETS LOOK TO HIS CROSS AND SEE HOW FORGIVENESS WORKS...HE LIVED A LIFE WITH TOTAL ABANDON AND ZERO REGRETS IN THE FACE OF MORE TRIAL THAN ALL OF US PUT TOGETHER...THANK YOU JESUS FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE. I AM FORGIVEN-SO HELP ME TO LEARN HOW TO FORGIVE OTHERS AND MYSELF.


That's How You Forgive- by Shane & Shane (click to listen)