If I Could Start All Over

At some point in all our lives we come to regret something that we’ve done, some decision that we’ve made and wish that we could start all over. But if such a thing were indeed possible, what would we do or what would we have done differently? Would we have chosen a different career path? Would we have actually caught some of the dreams we were chasing? Married our childhood sweetheart…or not married him? Had different children…or not had any children at all? Finished college or maybe not have started going in the first place? I mean, where does the regret stop? When does the, “thank you Lord for making me, me!” arise?

Ponder on this…if you start all over, at what point in your life would you start? What would the new be and what old would you wish away? Consider what makes us so unhappy with where we are at any one given point? Why are we “so” not satisfied with our life decisions? For me, a lot of reasons come to mind…unfulfillment, pressures, worry, envy, lust, selfishness, jealousy and all those others works of the flesh as revealed in Galatians 5:16-21. In reality, we would never wish to start all over if our lives were centered on the fruits of the spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23. Although we would not be perfect, we would be working toward a state of perfection, and why would anyone want to change that!

However, we are constantly struggling with sin for we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good Romans 7:14-16. Those struggles cause us to want to start over; have a fresh beginning to get ourselves together. But we will never be totally together because our flesh is constantly warring with our spirit. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want Galatians 5:17. Remember, we don't wrestle with flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places Ephesians 6:10-12. And when we are in a war, we need to put on the whole armor to ensure defeat of the enemy. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace Ephesians 16:13-15.  

When we fully understand how much God loves us and how many times he will forgive us if we ask him, why would we want to start over again. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life John 3:16. Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works Titus 2:14. We realize it’s okay to be human, it’s okay to make mistakes and regret them. God knows and understand our imperfections; he knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows we are all a “hot-mess” which is why we have the Holy Spirit as our guide to lead us to all truths and be an intercessor for our craziness when we need the Lord to forgive us of the messes we get ourselves in when we forget Who we belong to! Romans 8:26-27

When you start wishing that you can start all over (which of course, you never will)…just think about all the “stuff” you went through to get where you are; some good, some bad. But you survived it and that is all good! Start where you are now! Make a conscious effort to study more, love more, and accept where you are in life and thank God that he gives you another day – each day, to get it right!