Article August 8, 2011 Issue

No regrets

By Bertina Norford

“I wish I hadn’t done that!” “If only I’d known this!” “I’m really sorry I chose that way.”

Most of us have dealt with such thoughts. Ruminating about the past, even with deep regret, tends to immerse us in a mental fog that makes us feel separated from God. Backward-looking thoughts can prevent our progress and shouldn’t be coddled or ignored, no matter how familiar they’ve become. 

Sometimes I find it helpful to think of the story of Lot’s wife, who didn’t heed the warning not to look back at the destruction of her hometown of Sodom and became a “pillar of salt.” As a result, she missed the opportunity to move forward with her husband and daughters, who were led away by angels from the chaos to safety (see Gen., chap. 19). 