I’m learning to love the beginning of the New Year!
It feels like a fresh start—a clean slate full of possibilities, dreams, and plans for the year ahead. It’s an exciting time for me, coming right after the Christmas season, which has always been my favorite. I love the festivities, the lights, the smells, being with family, and most of all, the birthday celebration!
Christmas is also a season of reflection for me—a time to pause and take stock of the countless blessings God poured out over the past year. My heart overflows with gratitude as I remember His goodness.
Then, after the festivities comes the New Year, bringing with it the thrill of new beginnings. I look back at the year as a whole—the accomplishments, the setbacks, and yes, even the regrets.
It’s a time to dream big, make plans, and prayerfully consider how to turn those dreams into reality. But being honest, as inspiring as it is to look ahead, it’s easy to get stuck looking back. The “what-ifs” and regrets can creep in—missed opportunities, poor decisions, or roads not taken. If I’m not careful, they can weigh me down, stealing the joy of last year’s blessings and dimming the hope I feel for the future.
So, I’m learning to approach regrets differently this year. Instead of letting them hold me back, I’ve decided to see them as stepping stones, not stumbling blocks. That mindset shift changes everything. Let me explain.
Regrets are something we all face. They’re part of living in a broken world. Maybe you’ve said or done something you wish you could undo, or maybe you didn’t act when you now wish you had. It’s human to look back and feel that “I could have done better.” But here’s the thing: while the past can’t be changed, how we view it can. What if regrets didn’t have to be a source of shame or disappointment that anchors us to living defeated? What if they could actually be tools for growth and transformation?
What if regrets are a good thing that will make our coming year a better one?
Regrets Are a Universal Experience
Regrets are often seen as a negative part of life. Some are big and life-altering, while others are small but still weigh on our hearts. They can sometimes feel like anchors, holding us back from becoming who we want to be. But regrets don’t have to define us. When we allow them to teach and guide us, regrets can shape us in positive ways. So what if instead of avoiding thinking about the ways we blew it last year (or previous years), hoping that people don’t define us by them, how about we look for them and use them?
This is where redemption comes in. Redemption reminds us that our past mistakes are not the end of our story. Nothing that has happened to or through us is beyond God’s ability to redeem and use for good. When we view regrets through this lens, we find hope. Instead of seeing them as failures, we can see them as opportunities to grow and become better versions of ourselves.
Learning From Regret
What if our regrets have a positive purpose? What if they show us how to be a better version of ourselves…what not to do in the future? It’s like a guide, pointing out where we went wrong so we can make better choices in the future. What if we make our regrets a tool for self-awareness and positive change?
Think about it: Have you ever wished you’d taken a different career path? Or regretted how you handled a moment of frustration or anger? Maybe you wish you’d been a better spouse, parent, or friend. These regrets can feel heavy, but they can also inspire us and show us how to make positive life changes.
Seeing Regrets Differently
When we see regrets as a catalyst for growth, we redefine them and give them a positive purpose. For example:
- Career choices: If you regret not pursuing a particular path, use that regret to assess what you value and what’s still possible for you to achieve. Can you take a class, start a new project, or make a career shift?
- Relationships: If you wish you’d been a better spouse, parent, or friend, let that regret motivate you to invest more time and energy in those relationships now. It’s never too late to grow closer to the people you love.
- Moments of anger or frustration: If you regret how you handled a specific situation, take time to reflect on what triggered your reaction and how you can respond differently next time. Apologize if needed and commit to being more aware of and changing the effect of the trigger. How amazing would it be to become less reactionary to things that cause us to be different than we want to be?
Since regrets are real for everyone, what if we start the New Year with the mindset that anything regrettable that has happened or is going to happen won’t crush or paralyze us? Instead, let’s pause and use them in planning for an exciting 2025. Let’s build momentum from the joy of Christmas blessings to how we can transform our not-so-great moments of yesteryear into a springboard of personal growth and a great year to come.
Here’s how: Identify one specific regret that stands out to you. Then ask yourself these questions:
- What can I learn from this regret?
- What steps can I take to ensure I don’t repeat this mistake?
- How can I use this experience to grow and help others?
As you answer these questions, remember that God redeems all the bad stuff that happens to you and through you. Your regrets are not wasted; they’re part of your story and can shape you in profound ways. God’s forgiveness, peace, and hope offer a foundation for your future, no matter what your past looks like.
Tools for Redeeming Regret
To make this a New Year’s resolution, try using the chart below to work through your regrets and set a clear path forward:
| Regret | What I Learned | Steps for Growth | Redemptive Outcome |
| Not spending enough quality time with family | I must be more present and intentional with family. | Schedule weekly family time, apologize to loved ones, pay attention to details, and make memories. | Rebuilt trust, deeper connections, and cherished moments with loved ones. |
| Poor career choice | Pursuing work aligned with my passion is key to contentment. | Research and enroll in relevant courses that align with my gifts and passions. | A career that fulfills purpose and joy. |
| Reacting in a conflict with loved ones | I can learn to respond to and not react in disagreements | Learn to listen with the intent to understand and not reply | Navigate conflict redemptively and stay connected with loved ones. |
Living With Hope
Rather than being stuck in past disappointments, we can forgive ourselves and move forward with the assurance of redemption. That God uses our regrets and hardships as tools to shape us uniquely and prepare us to influence others for good. With this perspective, we can face the new year with excitement and purpose.
So, let’s resolve to view our regrets differently. Let’s use them to propel us forward instead of allowing them to hold us back. Take the time to reflect, learn, and grow from our mistakes. And most importantly, trust that God is working all things—even our regrets—for good.
What’s one regret you’re ready to let God redeem and transform? Write it down, pray over it, and take a step toward a better version of yourself in 2025.
I hope this helps you get a positive start to 2025!