Ep. 280 A Few Things I Would Do If I Could Go Back

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Shows Main Idea – I was listening to a Dennis Prager show, and someone asked him if he could go back to his twenties, what would he do differently. I started reflecting on that question, and though I don’t live in guilt and regret, it was helpful to think about a few things I would do differently.

Show Notes

You may want to read:

• 20 Things I Would Tell My Twenty-Year-Old Self
• Regret: Lingering Reminders of Our Fallen Humanity
• Revenge: When Evil Comes to You
• The Reason I Stopped Hating My Dad

Here’s My Warning

• Guard against guilt and regret. Be a good sovereigntist. Trust the author of your story, which has to be the overarching theme of your life.
• This exercise is reflective, not punitive or guilt-induced. I’m content with my life and ecstatic about what the Lord is doing in it.
• However, if you do not learn from your past, you will lose and those who could benefit from the changes you could make.

I Wish I Had Known

1. I would not have married out of need—an insecure boy looking for companionship.
2. I would have listened to the still small voice:
   1. Spirit’s illumination, for Christians (James 4:17).
   2. The conscience, for unbelievers (gut instinct).
3. Take more risks.
4. Never become a fundamental Baptist (legalism).
5. I should not have held onto my victimness regarding my dad.
   1. I could not transact forgiveness because of his death.
   2. I could have forgiven him attitudinally to release me from the prison.
6. Rather than reacting to my past, I should have fixed my sights on the perfect template (Christ).

Call to Action

1. If you had a do-over, what would you do over?
2. As you think about these things, is your mind content with where you are or are you living in regret?
   1. If you’re living in regret, anger, bitterness, or unforgiveness, who will you reach out to so you can find some help?
3. What does it mean to become a “good sovereigntist,” and how does that attitude situate your soul with peace?

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Rick Thomas

Rick launched the Life Over Coffee global training network in 2008 to bring hope and help for you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. His primary responsibilities are resource creation and leadership development, which he does through speaking, writing, podcasting, and educating.

In 1990 he earned a BA in Theology and, in 1991, a BS in Education. In 1993, he received his ordination into Christian ministry, and in 2000 he graduated with an MA in Counseling from The Master’s University. In 2006 he was recognized as a Fellow of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).