Have you ever looked back on an incident or period in your life and wish you had done things differently? Or have you mastered the art of no regrets?
Having just celebrated my first year of blogging, I took some time to reflect on some of my previous posts. It’s always good to take a step back and see where you’ve been. And it’s a great way to measure progress.
Similarly in life, we often look back to see where we’ve been. There are times that we are amazed by all God has done in our lives. But then there are those times when we look back with regret. Please tell me I’m not the only one.
As I reflected on the past several months of blogging, there’s one post that caught my eye. To begin with, it’s a good measuring stick for how much I’ve learned – let’s just say, I’ve come a looonnng way, baby! (Don’t believe me? You can check out my very first post here — but only if you promise not to laugh :-). See what I mean?)
What really stayed with me is the simple yet profound truth in this post. Because it’s so meaningful, I thought I’d share it here again and expand on it a little more.
The Secret to No Regrets
The secret to no regrets is really 3 secrets rolled into one. These nuggets of wisdom were shared by a middle-schooler so they’re short and sweet and the point. I’ve simply added a little extra from God’s Word to help us meditate on them.
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No Regrets Tip #1: Try Your Best
We are called to try our best with this one life we’re given. 2 Peter 3:14 encourages us to make every effort to be found spotless and blameless before God.
When we look forward to heaven as this scripture says, our days have purpose. Our goal becomes pleasing God and being found blameless before Him.
God doesn’t expect perfection, but He does expect us to try our best.
No Regrets Tip #2: Do Your Best
Colossians 3:23-24 suggests that whatever we do, we must work at it with all our hearts as if we’re serving God directly. When you reflect on a hard day’s work (whatever that work might be), how do you feel? Do you feel satisfied or do you regret all the things you should’ve, could’ve, wish you had done?
When you put your focus on God, there is a deep sense of satisfaction that comes from knowing you’ve done your best.
An important point here is that you’re called to do your best, not someone else’s. Comparing yourself to someone else will certainly lead to regret.
No Regrets Tip #3: Be Your Best
I am convinced that God calls us to be our best. We see hints, instructions and warnings all throughout scripture. One such example is the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30. In the biblical context talents = money. But this speaks to our God-given abilities as well.
God wants us to use our talents and add to them, not bury them in the ground. He wants us to shine brightly for Him.
So while it might be tempting to look back on my first year of blogging with a tinge of regret, I’d rather take this sound advice.  I choose to try my best, do my best and be my best.
I choose to live a life of no regrets.
What about you?
Are you trying your best, doing your best and being your best?
What other tips would you add to this?
Wishing you blessings,Â
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Try your best , be your best , do your best wao you make it so simple and very interesting i love your work it helps me more to living my life without regrets .
love it !
Thanks for stopping by and joining the conversation, Haseeb. I really enjoyed reading your post as well!
Love it! So simple! I also love the biblical references you included! Thanks for sharing your tips!
God bless,
Patty
“Use your God given talents to do your God given best.” I’m trying to embrace that truth Marva!
Indeed we both are, Lillian but be encouraged because I see how God is using your creativity to point others to Him. You have such a beautiful ministry over at Embracing the Lovely.
What fantastic tips for a life on no regrets! What a wise child who said this! God desires for us to live an abundant life in Him and not hang on to our mistakes…He doesn’t.
Thanks for sharing on Grace and Truth.
Hi Marva, Years ago my loving and caring son sensed I was not living up to my potential and he told me “Mom, you are going to have regrets one day.” I felt content at the time and did not understand what he meant. Well, I spent years being involved and absorbed with everyone else’s problems and lives that I did not follow my dreams and talents. Now, as a senior citizen, I do have many regrets and some things I just cannot go back and do. I am also divorced after a long term marriage that sank a lot of dreams along with its failure. What I do have now, is a new page in the book and opportunity to learn from past mistakes with a wisdom that comes from time, and as you say, the intent to do and be my best for the precious moments that are left.
Such profound and inspiring advice, Marva. I like that you mentioned “your best” and not someone else’s. It’s a great reminder that we should stop comparing ourselves to others and create our own path instead. Thanks for sharing this on #shinebloghop this week!
Thanks, Maria. I have to remind myself of that too — God wants my best not someone else’s best for me.
I’m always glad to #spreadtheshine at the #shinebloghop. 🙂
Marva – first congratulations on your ONE year blogaversary! Way to go and just remember, we all start somewhere. I love the advice from the middle school, they are one smart kid! I am sure their parents are smart as well. I’m your neighbor today at #ImpartingGrace
Such great advice!
Thanks for visiting and sharing your sparkle with us! Glad you found it useful.
This was a fantastic read! I love how it is so honest and simple. Though regrets are in everyone’s life, and my 10 year old daughter can be so hard on herself at times. I think I am going to share this blog post with her. She might see how all her effort, and love, and drive is actually great even if we mess up and regret the “little somethings” it is the passion she puts into it that shows her God given talents can shine through!
Awww…so true, Rebecca. Please do share it with her. I hope it encourages her to keep being her best without beating up on herself. It just reminds me that we start being hard on ourselves from a very young age but God is always there reminding us that He loves us regardless of how imperfect we are.
I’m so glad you took the time to visit today!
I love this, Marva. I would add this (because I’m living it, right now). Sometimes we will fail to do our best- and we WILL have regrets. In these times, we need to humbly acknowledge our failings- and then, do our best to make it right.
What a great point, Dawn, thank you for adding that. It’s hard for me to admit but you’re right, sometimes we will fail. How we respond to failure can make all the difference in the world and what you’ve suggested is spot on!
I’m always glad to have you here!
Love this, Marva! No regrets! Do your God-given best with what God has given you!
What a good word from you and your middle schooler!
Hope you have a blessed day~
That’s all God asks for — our best, not perfection. If only I can remember that all the time.
Glad you enjoyed it, Melanie. It’s always a blessing to have you share your sparkle with us!
Love this, Marva! And your very first post is beautiful … It’s simple, but rich. I love this as a follow up post! God has blessed your efforts, my friend! Praying His continued blessings as He expands your reach for His glory!
Thank you for those kind words, Dianne. You are a true friend for liking that post. Lol. I laugh at myself when I think about all that I’ve learned. And you’re right, God has certainly blessed my efforts. It might be feeble at first but I know He is able to multiply my little and make it much!
So glad I met you along the way.
Hugs!