We make choices all the time. Some are significant and have severe repercussions. I personally think the worst feeling I have ever felt is regret. The reason I think that this feeling is so poignant is because I could have done something different to prevent the terrible feeling. In a broad sense, I think sin is the collection of all choices that will lead to regret. I wrote a sonnet that shares some feelings about choices and regret.
We travelers must face oft times a storm
Or blist’ring heat or catch a prickly thorn.
And there are always tasks yet to perform
But in our failures are some tasks forlorn.
We climb and scale to reach the final crest,
Continuing past hindrances therein.
Yet all these obstacles we best with jest,
Except this one: to think what could have been?
What road perchance might take a higher summit
And should we travel down a different path?
Could our resolve forestall an inward plummet?
Do we regard fruition choices hath?
Amidst attempts to all but just forget,
Th’worst pain of all we still recall—regret.
In the scriptures, we read that “wickedness never was happiness.” I believe that all people who sin will at some point in their existence feel regret for having done so. This sorrow we feel is exactly what Christ expects of us—a broken heart. It is this sorrow that allows us to receive the atonement of Christ. It has taken place of animal sacrifices. Our regret is a power to help us understand Christ’s suffering and to lead us along better paths.
Tags: Choices Repentance Regret
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