A good friend asked me recently if I have any regrets. As I mentally flipped through conversations, actions and experiences, I found myself saying ‘no. I do not.’ Then the friend asked, ‘how can you not?’ He confessed to having many regrets.

When we are truly in sync with God and we do something that is regrettable, the Spirit is quick to convict. Repentance and asking for forgiveness quickly follow, as does forgiveness of others—and ourselves. If reconciliation is prompted, those who listen are also quick to reconcile—but reconciling it with Him first. Having a heart of gratitude that God allowed this teaching situation is always the quickest way to move forward in the Spiritual Journey.

Regret, unfortunately, is used by the enemy to keep us in bondage to something we did wrong, someone we wronged, something we did or didn’t do. Living in regret can cripple us, which does nothing to progress us forward in the Journey. Rather than continuing to live with regret, repent and ask for forgiveness. Listen to the Spirit in all things. God wants our hearts clean as we progress, not in a prison of regret.