Why do we do things we later regret? Is it because we get smarter? Do we learn new insights? Are we enlightened? Or do we simply make a decision based on our emotions and then process over time using our intellect to evaluate that decision?
Paul wrote the “DO DO” verse (Romans 7:15-20) where he talks about doing what he does not want to do and not doing what he should do… I think he was reflecting on my life when he penned that letter!
Doing something that leads to regret is an experience we have all had and we all live with our secret regrets as well as the public regerts(intentional miss-spelling). I have plenty of my own… but some things I thought were so big, so ridiculous and so obviously a knee jerk, emotional decision that I made a fool of myself….
Let’s look at a decision I have made recently, Buying a hospital… This was huge, but I haven’t felt a moment of regret, and may I say, neither has Jess! Although I did find regret in keeping my thumb in a location where I also had allotted for a hammer head…
How did we not feel a little regret? Why was this such an easy decision? What was different about buying a hospital versus when I bought a red one ton truck that the engine failed in the first week? The red truck I know was an emotional purchase, I knew it had a high level of failure, I even anticipated the reality that I may need to replace the engine in the future… but this red truck is full of REGRET! But the hospital (Sam’s Place) has zero regert.
Why are these two decisions so different? I can honestly look back on the red truck and say “FOOL” I made a mistake, I broke one of my cardinal rules and bought this without sitting and waiting for 72 hours before I buy anything over $500.00… This waiting period has served me well my entire life, but it seems every time I violate this rule, regret is waiting for me in all its splendor, just on the other side…
How do we connect our heart to our head? I don’t want to dismiss my emotions, but I do want them to stay in submission to my intellect. Emotions are so valuable, they can motivate us to action, but they can also lead us into inaction, being scared to make a bad decision…
I really believe we need to reel in our emotions when it’s time to make a decision, stop and let our intellect lead the way. Our emotions (sometimes referred to as “follow your heart”) is the true path to regret. If we stop, wait, think, reflect, just give it 72 hours to call our emotions into check, we will make great decisions, with less regerts.
Sam’s Place has been a decision with no regrets, and God has been blessing this move every step of the way, we still have a very long way to go, but a long path in the right direction, following God’s leading, we really can’t feel regret, in “HIS will”.
So, I ask you this question, is God leading you to take a step of faith? A leap off the safe cliff into the clouds of His will? Paul said it in Romans… he has regrets for not doing the things he ought to do, he does differentiate a greater regret for doing things he ought not do, but alludes the reader to see that not doing has as much regret as doing the wrong things.
I now ask you a final question, would you consider talking to God today? Ask him how you can help someone in your influence, and ask him to guide your decisions?
With a deep concern for you. Charlie