We all have choices and decisions in our past that we regret. There are things that we would have done differently (or not done at all), and consequences we wish we could change. In some way, we have hurt the people we love.
It is God’s grace that we remember those failures and sin. We remember the hurt and sorrow our loved ones felt because of our actions. It’s His grace that we remember the pain and brokenness we felt; the hopelessness, the soul-crushing despair, so that we never go back to that.
And it is even better that we rejoice in His grace in repentance, celebrate His delivering us from our past. We remember and celebrate His forgiveness and taking our shame, so that we are not paralyzed by our failures. We move forward in life, in His strength, with those experiences as part of our story. And we extend His grace, hope, and love to those around us. We proclaim His mercy and goodness to restore and redeem. We are His vessels of hope to others; broken vessels, yes, but broken vessels repaired by Christ to point other broken people to the One who heals and restores.
Proverbs 24:16 – for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.
2 Corinthians 4:7 – But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and NOT TO US.