Daily Thought for Wednesday, March 16th

March 16, 2011

Regrets

Today’s Thought:

“Regret is an appalling waste of energy; you can’t build on it; it’s only good for wallowing in.”– Katherine Mansfield

 

Today’s Question

Did you know that, “For all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: ‘It might have been?’” – John Greenleaf Whittier

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

“And now the end is near
And so I face the final curtain
My friend I'll say it clear
I'll state my case of which I'm certain
I've lived a life that's full
I traveled each and every highway
And more, much more than this
I did it my way.

Regrets, I’ve had a few…”

– Paul Anka (As sang by Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley)

There is probably not one among us who have not had some regret in their lives.

There may even be those among us who can identify with the Prophet Jonah.

Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.  But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. But the Lord sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken. – The Bible (Jonah 1:1-4)

God had a plan for Jonah and for Nineveh, but Jonah decided to do things his way.  We all know, his way led to regrets.  How many of us have had regrets because God said one way and we went another?

Jonah ended up spending a few days in the belly of a big fish: getting regurgitated onto the shore; and going to do what God wanted him to in the end.   If course, when Jonah went and God did what He is so good at doing (forgiving when repentance occurs), Jonah pouted.

But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry. And he prayed unto the Lord, and said, I pray thee, O Lord, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil. Therefore now, O Lord, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live. Then said the Lord, Doest thou well to be angry? So Jonah went out of the city, and sat on the east side of the city, and there made him a booth, and sat under it in the shadow, till he might see what would become of the city. – The Bible (Jonah 4:1-5)

Sadly, sometimes we find ourselves regretting doing things God’s way because they don’t turn out the way we think they should or the way we want them too.

Thee is coming a day when we will all stand before the Lord, facing our Creator and I’m sure we will all have many regrets.  But if we do thing’s His way, He will take care of us, in spite of us, just like He did for Jonah.

When we stand before Him, if we can hear Him say, “Well done my good and faithful servant;” I’m sure that will help lesson the pain of our many regrets.

Today’s Verses:

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Philippians 4:4-8

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

                               Galatians 6:9-10

Today’s Prayer:

Father, may I learn to follow you, do things your way so I can say my regrets truly are few, hopefully even to few to mention.