Regret vs. Repentance

Fr. Mike talks about how to regret things we’ve done without staying stuck in the past.

Have you ever heard the saying “don’t regret the past, because it’s made you into the person you are today?” Maybe you’ve heard something similar to that, and while there’s truth to this saying, there’s also something that we as Christians should be aware of. Sometimes we make mistakes. We do things we wished we hadn’t. Sometimes, we hurt those we love in the process.

We never want to live in the past—burdened by the mistakes we’ve made—but it’s safe to say that all of us have done things that didn’t make us the people God wants us to be.

There’s a difference between regret and repentance, and it can be best seen when comparing St. Peter to Judas. Both men sinned gravely against the Lord: Peter denying him during the time of his Passion and Judas delivered him to crucifixion. The difference is, where Peter regretted his sins and repented, Judas let his sin consume him.

It’s okay to regret the things we’ve done in the past that took us away from the path of God, but we can’t dwell in this regret. Instead, we have to do something about it. We have to repent. Repentance is what gives us the strength to forgive ourselves and continue striving for the kingdom of Heaven. When we repent, we surrender ourselves and our mistakes to the Lord, and then he can use those mistakes to glorify our lives. God can use everything—even our worst sins—for our path towards eternity. Nothing given to God is ever wasted.

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[dustinfulks]

I’m not a Catholic but I never found anyone who speaks with such clarity and understanding and breaks things down to make it easy to understand. You do a wonderful job. Thank you and God Bless Father Mike🙏🏻

[praytherosaryeveryday]

Romans 8:28. Don't let the devil keep you living in the past, offer up your mistakes and grow from it. Pray the rosary daily and become spirituality strong.

[imaliveu]

You can't change what happened in the past but you can always change the present.

[dakabaka]

This is really important to me. Thank you. I spent my childhood in an obsessive and extremely unhealthy regret and self hatred over my choices, my rampant imperfections, and my early addiction to pornography. It got the point where I was suicidal and physically ill, but no one knew for nine years. I remember when I was 8 years old, standing in the shower, thinking that I should burn in hell for seeing something impure. I think I have trauma I haven't addressed yet from my childhood. It felt like there was no way out and I felt like Judas after betraying Christ. It was really complicated. It's been one hell of a fight and the only reason I never ended it is because God reached out to me in miraculous ways. He was the only one. I never deserved God's mercy, I even became atheist to ignore him. My hatred for God and myself only grew more and more the more I ignored him. It felt like I was rotting away. Now I've embraced truth and the delusions are gone. I'm becoming sober quite fast and feeling hopeful in my heart. I've never been so focused and clear headed about salvation. I realized that loving God would be in what I did, not how I felt. That was probably was the turning points really. I realized I could mend that relationship with him by living for him and by his words. The more I realize how beautiful God and his creation is, the more I want to repent for the damage I've done. I'm preparing to receive the sacraments for the first legitimate time in my life. Pray for me and Praise God!

[colmwhateveryoulike]

"That's why we have a Saint Peter and not a Saint Judas." Hit me. I struggle with pure laziness but it's very much based on fear - usually around other people. I watched your video on something else and you mentioned eustress and distress. I think I have learned to treat eustress as distress so I sign up to work because I'm not lazy by nature (i used to be told to slow down and not work so hard in simpler times) but then when it comes time to self-motivate (not a problem when part of a team) I freeze and avoid. It will be the spiritual death of me if I don't break free of it.

[Wardcreek]

"Surrender your past to Jesus"
The Holy Spirit told you that!
What a wonderful priest you are sharing the Spirits inklings from you to us!
God Bless you Fr Mike

[st_xult]

I am 2 years a free slave from alcohol. 2 hard years down as a slave for Jesus Christ now; this video is 💯!! Thanks Father Mike-

[John-kvxz]

100 % agree. I always disagreed with people that say “ Never regret your past”

[ac]

I think a better virtue is to “not worry about regretful actions to the point of taking focus off the things you CAN control which is the future, but still try to learn from past mistakes to refine your future decisions towards a Holier life”

[drcardinalli]

Huh! This made me think. I'm a disabled veteran who looks a little ragged--eye patch, cane, etc. I sometimes wear a t-shirt with a pirate kitty saying "I regret nothing!" (when the kitty, like me, looks like it should have some definite regrets). Besides making people laugh, I hope it says "don't be uncomfortable, I'm very happy to have done the things that left me a little worse for the wear." Now I worry it might instead convey some of the arrogance Fr. Mike warns about. Might have to re-think wardrobe. 🤔 Love the pirate kitty, but love Fr. Mike's advice even more and want to be a good CATholic more than anything!!! 😻😻😻

[relentlessrhythm]

Thank you Father! I just got done crying because of something I did in my past. God can still use us all!

[jamesslack]

This video popped up right after my confession. Miracles do happen.

[Gumball]

Hi everyone!
Hope you have a blessed day today!

[Richie]

Regretting one's past is futile, Repentance of sin & asking for the blessing of The Holy spirit leads to life😀
Thanks Fr. Mike.

[ChrisAucoin]

I really like Father Mike.
Repent better, pray more, be kinder, be more generous, and be more loving. All things I am striving towards daily. I'm making progress, but still have so far to go. So every day I ask for His forgiveness, and His mercy. And I ask Him to help me become a better person, and someone that He can use to help others to know Him too. God bless you.

[JONSRVNG]

I remember years ago when I would watch your videos. And I wasn’t Catholic or even Christian. I just would look for the guy with the collar. Thank you for being you.

[tinak]

My past, O Lord, to Your mercy; my present, to Your love; my future to Your providence.
St. Padre Pio

[christopherbrunetti]

I heard the best sermon about regret. You will always have regret because you will wish you have done more good.

[Sara-lick]

When people say “No regrets!!” I be like: none? Not one? 🤨

[TheCarlinCoop]

Perfect video I needed to see at this moment. Thank you!