Letting Go of Regret: Finding Freedom in God's Forgiveness

We all carry regrets. Those nagging thoughts of "what if" or "if only" that weigh us down and hold us back.

Maybe it’s a lie you told that spiraled out of control.
Perhaps it’s a missed opportunity to help someone in need.
Or maybe it was a moment of weakness that led to a decision you wish you could undo.

Whatever form it takes, regret is heavy. It slows us down, makes us question ourselves, and keeps our eyes fixed on what’s behind us instead of what’s ahead.

But here’s the good news: you don’t have to carry it forever.

The story of Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples, offers a powerful example of overcoming regret and finding redemption.

On the night Jesus was arrested, Peter denied knowing Him three times — exactly as Jesus had predicted. When the rooster crowed, Peter "went outside and wept bitterly" (Luke 22:62).

Can you imagine the crushing weight of regret Peter must have felt? He had promised unwavering loyalty to Jesus, only to cave under pressure when it mattered most. That regret could have easily defined the rest of Peter's life, leaving him paralyzed by shame and self-loathing.

But Jesus had other plans. After his resurrection, Jesus sought Peter out and gave him a chance at redemption. Three times - mirroring Peter's three denials - Jesus asked him, "Do you love me?" And three times, he commissioned Peter to care for his followers, saying "Feed my sheep."

This interaction reveals a profound truth: our past is our history, but it doesn't have to be our prison. Jesus was showing Peter that his mistake, though painful, did not disqualify him from future service. In fact, Jesus was entrusting him with an important role in building the early church.

Jesus shared with Peter the heart of God when it comes to our regrets.

1. Once you repent, the only record of your sin is your own.

Luke 22:59-62; Psalm 130:3-4; 25:7

Psalm 130 reminds us: "If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you."
If you’ve confessed it, God’s already erased it. The only one holding onto the file is you.

2. Your past is your history, not your prison.

John 21:15-17; Psalm 130:4

Jesus showed Peter that his mistake did not disqualify him. Instead, it became part of his testimony. You are not locked in by your failures — you are free to walk into the future God has prepared.

3. We are freed to serve, not reminisce on regrets.

Psalm 130:7

Forgiveness isn’t a ticket to simply feel better; it’s a calling to live differently. God releases us from guilt so we can step into meaningful service.

4. Focus on what’s left, not what’s lost.
Peter could have remained trapped in shame — but instead, he preached at Pentecost and saw thousands come to faith. The Apostle Paul put it this way: "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead..." (Philippians 3:13-14).

Here are some practical steps to live free:

1. Acknowledge your regrets – Bring them into the light.
2. Repent sincerely – Turn to God with a heart ready to change.
3. Accept God’s forgiveness – When God forgives, He forgives completely. (Psalm 103:12)
4. Forgive yourself – Don’t hold yourself to a harsher standard than God’s.
5. Look forward – Ask God how He wants to use you now.
6. Serve others – Turn your gratitude into action.

Letting go of regret doesn’t mean forgetting what happened. It means you’ve learned from it, and you’re not dragging the weight of shame anymore.

“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret” (2 Corinthians 7:10).

Your past is part of your story, but it’s not the end of it. In Christ, you are forgiven, restored, and called into something greater.

So today — lay that regret at His feet.
Let Him carry it.
And step forward into the hope and purpose He has for you.