‘If only . . . ’

Steve Graham, Managing Editor, Sentinel, Journal, and Herald

Who hasn’t at one time or another agonized over something in the past? “If only it hadn’t happened” is something we’ve all probably said or thought at some point.

But as you’ll read here, whether the regret involves something we’ve said or done, or experienced at the hands of another, present remorse about past events doesn’t have to live on, dictating the way we act and feel today, robbing our peace and hindering our progress. Even when words have been said that can’t be called back, or actions taken that can’t be reversed, there’s still the opportunity to set things right—by redeeming our present understanding of what’s happened, in the light of God’s all-power. Nothing short of this can bring actual healing, end haunting memories, and open up the way forward.

In our first cover story article this week, Tim Myers explains how “painful thoughts of past mistakes can . . . actually lead us back to God.” And he shares his own experiences of praying about career moves he made that looked like they would deprive him of his heart’s desire.

Bertina Norford shares how her prayer about past regrets brought the healing of a painful condition. She learned that “backward-looking thoughts can prevent our progress and shouldn’t be coddled or ignored, no matter how familiar they’ve become.”

The insights and experiences of other contributors to this Sentinel issue offer more powerful evidence that the best thing anyone can do when confronted with regret is to go to God—humbly and expectantly seeking to learn what He knows, and has always known, about us.

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Imam puts an American stamp on Islam

August 8, 2011

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