We’ve all had moments where we look back at a decision and think, “If only I had done things differently…” Maybe it was a relationship you stepped into even though something inside you hesitated. Maybe it was a job you took that left you drained and regretful. Maybe it was a season where your choices pulled you away from God instead of closer to Him.
The truth is, regret is a heavy burden. It plays like a broken record in your mind, replaying the “what ifs” and “should haves” until you feel stuck in a loop you can’t escape. But here’s something you need to know, God is not limited by your mistakes.
In Romans 8:28, the Bible promises us, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Did you catch that? It says “in all things”, not just the good decisions, not just the moments when you got it right, but even the times you fell short, took the wrong turn, or made the choice you wish you could undo.
God’s ability to redeem isn’t dependent on your ability to avoid mistakes. He is the God who turns mourning into dancing (Psalm 30:11), who makes beauty from ashes (Isaiah 61:3), and who takes broken pieces and builds something more beautiful than before.
Think about Joseph in the Bible. His own brothers sold him into slavery, a betrayal that could have destroyed his life. Yet, years later, Joseph was able to look at them and say in Genesis 50:20, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
That’s what God does. He takes what was meant for harm, even harm caused by your own choices, and uses it for His glory and your growth.
So instead of dwelling on your past, start asking God, “Lord, how can You use this? What can I learn from this? How can my story help someone else?” The enemy wants you trapped in shame and regret, but God wants you free and focused on what He can do next. Don’t waste time beating yourself up over the past when the Creator of the universe is offering you a future filled with hope (Jeremiah 29:11).
Remember, you are not beyond repair. That “wrong choice” you made could be the very thing God uses to shape you, humble you, and prepare you for the purpose He has for you. So today, let go of the guilt. Trust the God who sees the end from the beginning. If you place it in His hands, He can and will turn it around for your good.
Holy mess 