Appreciate your regrets, and learn from them

Lily wished she had been received into the master's degree program at her local college. She had worked really hard on her undergraduate psychology degree, and she had always wanted to become a psychological counselor, however, due to her lower-than-desired score on one of the entrance exams, she was denied entrance at that time.

Lily was heartbroken. She knew her life was ruined. Nevertheless, Lily tried to make use of the undergraduate psychology degree. She finally attained a degree in spirituality and worked for a local church. She soon discovered that the field of religion and spirituality was just where she was supposed to be. Lily learned that things happen for a reason.

Lily had tried many different careers during her lifetime, the most important, before anything else, was being a wife and mother. She always fulfilled those duties first.

Although, at the time, Lily regretted the fact she would have to wait a semester to enter into the psychological counseling program at school, she grew to understand why. God had a more suitable place for her within the spiritual realm.

As well as being involved with church ministry, she presented talks, occasionally, on spiritual topics. She loved every moment of her job. Lily was able to apply the counseling education she had acquired to her present vocation.

I recently listened to a television interview between a news reporter and an actor. My understanding of life's ambiguities was extended, by a statement that the actor made. The actor seemed to have a successful life presently, but evidently, that had not always been the case. He had been married to the same spouse for many years, but not without many mistakes and ups and downs.

The interviewer asked him if he ever thought about the bad things that had happened to him, and the mistakes that he had made along the way. With the upmost honesty, the actor said, "Yes, I think of them, and I regret many choices I've made, but I appreciate my regrets. That's what you learn from." Wow! What an eye opener! If you but look back at your life, briefly -- you don't want to obsess about the past because it's gone, never to return -- I assure you that you'll learn from your bad choices or the from the things that failed to turn out as you desired they do. You may see no change in your circumstances for a long while, maybe for many years, but eventually God will bring everything together and you will understand and learn the value of your hardships.

In the Bible, Job is a prime example of God's restoration. God took away from Job everything that he treasured -- health, family, possessions and his positive outlook. However, Job kept his faith and refused to curse God. Instead, he kept believing in God's goodness. As scripture reveals, God restored to Job, all he had taken -- to include twice as much. Then Job was able to resume his life. He couldn't afford to continue regretting what happened in the past, but he went on with his life, although with other people and other possessions. He never gave up, and neither can you. "But God knows the way I take; when he tested me. I came forth as gold" Job 23:10.

When plans fail to develop when and how you'd like, remember that God makes all the pieces come together before the puzzle can be completed. You may be ready but other people and situations may not be able to receive the change. Think upon this!

Regretting your errors only steals the energy and imagination that you will need to forge ahead. Your head and mind can't be filled with thoughts about what has been and what's happening, now. So think about the past long enough to glean the good from it; then let it go. Rather than dwell on the bad, ponder it, appreciate it and then move on.