FMF: Choosing Redemption Over Regret

~ Lisa Brittain

For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:10 esv

The word set out for us to ponder today is {regret}. I get that word. I know it. I’ve known it and have held it or rather IT has held me.

This revelation has led me to a conclusion regarding regret. It can be a productive learning tool in my hands or it can be a tool in the hands of the enemy of God (Satan and his demons) used against me. If I live under regret (and I have plenty of choices) then I allow the enemy to make me a slave to guilt and shame.

2 cor 7.10 esv

However, if I choose to take hold of regretful choices as a tool for productive growth under the supervision of Holy Spirit then I become victorious – an overcomer even. Jesus tells me in His word that I should not fear for He has overcome the world and death. The word of God tells me that I will overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony.

On my faith journey this past year, the eyes of my heart have focused in on some wonderfully life-giving words of King David. He had some serious regrets after taking a woman who was not his wife, then killing his faithful servant (her husband) to cover the tracks of his adulterous sin. He thought he could hide his nakedness just as Adam and Eve thought they could hide their shame from God’s sight.

After David’s confession and repentance, he ran toward God out of hiding and cried out for mercy. And then he asked for a way to use his sin as a tool of productivity:
Let my passion for life be restored,
tasting joy in every breakthrough you bring to me.
Hold me close to you with a willing spirit that
obeys whatever you say.
Then I can show to other guilty ones
how loving and merciful you are.
They will find their way back home to you,
knowing that you will forgive them. Psalm 51:12-13

I have plenty of regrets. However, I’m learning to take hold of each one as a tool of learning and productivity… as training under my Father’s loving and forgiving guidance. He will not take His Holy Spirit from me – my Teacher and Comforter. No, as I take responsibility for every choice, Father teaches me how to turn regret into an opportunity to train another. It’s a beautiful exchange.

psalm 51.13 teach transgressors.png

Regret – I won’t live under it. I will hold out regret before my Father and ask Him to make it a tool in my hand by which I will get to disciple others even as He disciples me.

I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10 niv

What regret could you hold out to your loving Father today and exchange it for a productive tool of discipleship for someone else?

Eyes on Jesus… you’re shining!

Lisa

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Today I am joining Kate and her wonderful community of faith writers for some Five Minute Friday writing fun. The word prompt for this week is {regret} If you’re in the least bit intrigued, come join us for the Five Minute Friday link up

All you have to do is ponder the word prompt, set your timer for 5:00, and start typing. When time’s up, publish and link up. Oh so simple!

Published by Lisa Brittain

I am an avid follower of Jesus. I have been since my early twenties when I met Him personally and received dramatic healing in my body and mind. After many years of marriage and raising sons into the teen years, I was challenged to explore the duplicity of my spoken faith followed up by fearful actions. I received the challenge presented by both of my sons. They love me and so they dared to confront me with the truth. Chips off my proverbial block! I determined then {more than a decade ago} to overcome fear with faith that was more than words. In my late 40's I made a decision to leave the desert wandering behind and set out to pursue the abundant life Jesus promised His disciples. I am a tentmaker {actually a reupholsterer} by day, which helps to support the call God has on my life to serve Him in my community. I thoroughly enjoy my work. Repairing and restoring throw-away furniture is a fulfilling creative outlet. More so, my Cheer House Repair and Restore business opens the door for me to interact with my community. My passion is to walk so closely to Jesus that others want to know Him too. I love to introduce women to Him as we walk, talk, and work together hand in hand through everyday life. Nothing thrills me more than to watch someone fall so in love with Jesus through His word and conversation; learning to trust His heart and receive His great love! I have been married to my dear man for over 30 rollercoaster years. We're simply thrilled that our latter days are more joyful and purposeful than our first. Together we have two - grown young men on their own journeys. Additionally, we share our home with 3 lively rescue pups. I look forward to having you join me on this journey of faith... Bold feet, humble heart Psalm 131 ~ Lisa

17 thoughts on “FMF: Choosing Redemption Over Regret”

  1. Lisa, thank you for pointing to the reality of redemption. “I won’t live under it. I will hold out regret before my Father and ask Him to make it a tool in my hand by which I will get to disciple others even as He disciples me.” This will be my prayer.

    1. Thank you, Stephanie, for stopping by to read these words with me. Let’s pray this together, ok? Iron sharpening iron! #knittedhearts

  2. “…if I choose to take hold of regretful choices as a tool for productive growth under the supervision of Holy Spirit then I become an overcomer.”

    That’s a powerful word, my friend. Reminds me of what someone (I can’t remember who) once told me: When you sin, don’t wait to run to the Throne of Grace until tomorrow. Do it right now. Let God work it out.

    1. Thanks for stopping by to read my words, Marie, and thank you for joining in the conversation. I’m so happy to see your face pop up here!! Bless you friend as we journey together from afar…
      ~Lisa

  3. This is beautiful, Lisa. I think I need to post David’s words to my fridge to remind me. Yes! Use my forgiven sins to point others to YOU, LORD. Your love, compassion and mercy.

    1. Yes, Anna! Bless you friend as we journey side by side across the ocean to teach others with love from our own experience! Titus 2 women – disciplers and disciple makers. I love you, friend
      #knittedhearts

  4. Regrets as tools….I love that! It means so much to me when others share what they’ve been through and the lessons they’ve learned! I hope I can use my “tools” to inspire others too. Great post Lisa. Your words spoke to me today! Cindy Wilkins

    1. Cindy, thank you for stopping by and spending some of your precious time with me today! Thank you for encouraging me back. Here’s to using our best tools for the Kingdom of God – For His Glory! Bless you with Him…

  5. Using our regrets as a learning tool – such wisdom…and maturity to get to that point! It’s a journey but what a blessing when we can actually allow our regrets to fine-tune us!

  6. Dear Lisa, I love the way our God is so redemptive over every one of our regrets! It’s so easy to let the enemy keep gloating over them, isn’t it? But what a precious thought to know that JESUS will use those very regrets to help draw others into His mercy too! *Hugs!*

  8. Ah, I’ve learned to take my regret over the way I missed my daughter’s mental illness and use it as a tool to help other parents know what to look for.

  10. Lisa, the very same Scripture came to us both 🙂 You wrote beautifully on this prompt and Scripture. I am so grateful that because of His redemption and restoration, I do not have to live in regret. Blessings!

    1. Thanks, Joanne! Thank you for spending some time here with me. And I love love how Holy Spirit knits our hearts together! 💝💝 #knittedhearts

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