Regret is a common feeling, and the Bible addresses it by reminding us that God offers grace and forgiveness. Through stories of people who made mistakes, Scripture reveals that God’s love can heal regret, helping us to grow, learn, and move forward with a renewed sense of purpose.
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What Does The Bible Say About Regret
Proverbs 10:22
The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, without painful toil for it.
This verse reminds us that God’s blessings are not dependent on our own efforts or accomplishments. When we trust in Him, He can provide for us abundantly and without the regret of striving in our own strength.
Psalm 38:18
I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.
David acknowledges his regret and trouble over his sin. It’s important for us to recognize our mistakes and confess them to God, seeking His forgiveness and guidance to avoid repeating them in the future.
Lamentations 3:40
Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD.
When we experience regret, it’s an opportunity for self-reflection and examination. We should use these moments to assess our actions and motives, turning back to the Lord and seeking His guidance to make better choices.
2 Corinthians 7:10
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
There are two types of sorrow: godly sorrow and worldly sorrow. Godly sorrow leads to repentance and reconciliation with God, removing any regret. On the other hand, worldly sorrow stems from guilt and shame, which can lead to destructive behaviors.
Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.
We may have regrets about plans that didn’t work out, but ultimately God’s purposes and plans prevail. Trusting in His sovereignty helps us find peace and acceptance, knowing that His ways are higher than ours.
Acts 3:19
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.
Regret should lead us to repentance and seeking God’s forgiveness. When we turn to Him, He promises to wipe away our sins, bringing a refreshing and renewing work in our lives.
Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Regret often weighs us down and leaves us feeling weary. Jesus invites us to come to Him, laying our burdens at His feet, and finding rest for our souls.
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Confessing our regrets and sins to God allows us to experience His forgiveness and cleansing. He is faithful to forgive us and purify us, releasing us from the weight of regret.
Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”
Despite the depth of our regrets and sins, God offers us complete forgiveness and a fresh start. He can take our stained hearts and make them pure, as white as snow.
Philippians 3:13-14
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Paul encourages us to let go of past regrets and failures and focus on the future. Holding onto regret hinders our progress, but looking forward to the prize God has in store for us motivates us to press on in our faith.
Romans 8:1
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
In Christ, there is no condemnation for our regrets and mistakes. He offers us forgiveness and freedom from the burden of regret, giving us a fresh start.
Psalm 51:10
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
When we come to God with our regrets, He can transform our hearts and renew our spirits. He has the power to create a pure heart within us, replacing our regrets with His righteous desires.
Proverbs 28:13
Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
Hiding our regrets and sins only leads to further consequences. But when we confess and renounce them, we find God’s mercy and forgiveness, releasing us from the grip of regret.
Psalm 34:17
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.
When we cry out to God in our regrets and troubles, He hears us. As His righteous children, He promises to deliver us from the burdens of regret and provide comfort and guidance.
Mark 1:15
“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
Jesus calls us to repentance and belief in the good news of His salvation. When we turn to Him in our regrets, we can find hope, forgiveness, and the assurance of eternal life in His kingdom.
Psalm 32:5
Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.
David acknowledges the freedom that comes from confessing his sins. When we openly admit our regrets and sins to God, He is faithful to forgive us and remove the guilt and shame associated with them.
Ecclesiastes 7:10
Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is not wise to ask such questions.
Dwelling on past regrets and longing for what is gone is not wise. Instead, we should focus on the present and future, trusting that God has a purpose and plan for us despite our past mistakes.
James 4:8
Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Drawing near to God in our regrets leads to His nearness in our lives. He calls us to repent, purify our hearts, and seek His forgiveness and guidance.
Psalm 55:22
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
Regrets often burden us, but God invites us to cast our cares upon Him. He promises to sustain us and provide stability, knowing that our righteousness is found in Him.
Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Instead of being consumed by regret, we can bring our concerns and requests to God in prayer. His peace, surpassing our understanding, will guard our hearts and minds, freeing us from anxiety and regret.
Isaiah 43:18-19
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
God calls us to let go of our past regrets and focus on the new things He is doing. He has the power to bring transformation and hope, even in the most desolate areas of our lives.
Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Through Christ, we have been set free from the burdens of regret and sin. Let us stand firm in this freedom and refuse to be entrapped again in the cycle of regret and guilt.
Psalm 103:12
As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
When God forgives us, He completely removes our transgressions from us, separating them from us as far as the east is from the west. There is no limit to His grace and mercy in removing the weight of regret.
1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
In our moments of regret and anxiety, we can cast our burdens on God, knowing that He cares for us deeply. He takes our regrets and turns them into opportunities for His care and provision.
Titus 2:11-12
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age.
God’s grace teaches us to turn away from ungodliness and worldly desires, helping us to live lives free from regret. Embracing His grace empowers us to make choices that align with His will and bring fulfillment and joy.