Fighting Regret

Have you ever had a time when it seemed like old regrets you might have kept coming to the surface giving you the opportunity to rehash them...again? That was my past week. Things I’d done, or not done, coming to mind over and over for no apparent reason. It was frustrating. And exhausting.

It's hard to forget things we wish we’d done differently, but the longer we linger in the past, the more it affects us in ways we’ve struggled with before—guilt, shame, sadness, anger, and feelings of depression and anxiety.

The enemy knows this and uses it to his full advantage. He knows where he can slither in to our days and get our thoughts reliving the past.

What can we do we do when we’re under attack like this?

➤Pray. Immediately and often.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

1 Peter 5:8 NIV

Where we are weak, the enemy will attack. But,

Where we are weak, God is strong!

The enemy has already been defeated by Jesus. When we call to Jesus for help and stand behind Him, the enemy has no choice but to retreat. {Tweet this}

But still, often something will continue to bother us because it’s time to confess and receive God's forgiveness. If that’s the case, have a heart-to-heart with the One who loves you more than anyone else.

Then, ask Him to help you forgive yourself. Sometimes this is where we struggle the most—letting ourselves off the hook long after we’ve received God’s forgiveness.

We can’t change the past, but we can learn from it. No matter how hard Satan tries to keep us there, with God’s help we can move forward.

➤Scripture. Remind yourself of God's truth.

Everything God says is true—and it’s a shield for all who come to him for safety.

Proverbs 30:5 CEV

Write out your favorite verses and keep them where you will see them often. Replace Satan’s lies with God’s truth. Personalize Scripture by inserting your name. God’s Word is meant for us. Let’s not ignore the power of praying Scripture over ourselves.

I like to go back through my journals because I often find that God has already shown me particular verses He knew I’d need for that very day.

Our thoughts can have an effect on every part of our day. If we think too long on what we can’t change, it will drag us down. The quicker we can replace the negative thoughts with God’s Word, the better we can keep ourselves from going down a self-defeating path.

Remember, the enemy cannot stand in the name of Jesus. {Tweet this} 

➤Consider your physical state. Change your focus.

Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Mark 6:31 NIV

I'd been fighting a cold all last week and it made me extra tired, and at times, made my thinking kind of fuzzy. When I’m over tired and not feeling well, my thoughts can easily start to spin out of control.

Throughout the week, I had to keep reminding myself that it was a perfect opportunity for the enemy to attack. When regretful thoughts kept coming to mind, I had to be intentional about changing my focus.

Self-care is important. Whether that means getting enough sleep, eating well, or taking care of ourselves when we’re sick, it’s the way we’re created. When we struggle to function physically, we can’t expect our emotional and mental state to not be effected.

Anytime we find ourselves under attack, we need to turn to God immediately, especially when we’re already feeling weak. He promises to help us fight against the enemy’s attack.

Then, find a distraction—turn on praise music, read a book, call a friend—anything that will change what you’re currently thinking about. And be prepared to take these steps all over again, because the enemy is persistent.

But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 NLT

In Christ,

Laura 

[Photo credit: Unsplash.com]

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