DAILY BYTE
Someone once wrote that, “we crucify ourselves all the time between two thieves, the thief of the regrets of yesterday and the thief of the fear of tomorrow.”
With that in mind, today’s focus will be on past regrets. Those regrets that run so deep they still live with us today colouring our daily perceptions, choices and attitudes.
Unresolved regrets profoundly affect our present realities!
A good example of this is seen in today’s focus reading, which depicts the tremendous guilt Joseph’s brothers felt at having sold him into slavery years before (remember the Old Testament story of Joseph and his coat).
The brother’s present quality of life was greatly affected by their unresolved feelings of guilt which is why they so feared ‘payback’ time could arrive for them anytime soon.
Our own past regrets may be of an entirely different nature to Joseph’s brothers but can be just as real and threatening. We may have done something that hurt others, or we may even have failed ourselves in some way that shames us still.
The point is to face up to and address whatever it is otherwise we might be prevented from living our present to the full.
Spend some time thinking about how you might pro-actively deal with some of the last year’s regrets. If they have a very powerful hold on you, you may well need to speak to someone you trust about it.
PRAY AS YOU GO
Father God, we do pray that you would help us to face up to our past regrets in a positive manner that will bring about healing and restored relationships. Where we have done wrong to others, give us wisdom and courage to go and make right. If we have failed ourselves then we pray you would help us to deal with it and be able to move on. In Jesus name. Amen.
FOCUS VERSE
Genesis 42: 18-21 NIV
On the third day, Joseph said to them, "Do this and you will live, for I fear God: If you are honest men, let one of your brothers stay here in prison, while the rest of you go and take grain back for your starving households. But you must bring your youngest brother to me, so that your words may be verified and that you may not die." This they proceeded to do.
They said to one another, "Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that's why this distress has come upon us."
