Let’s be honest: we all have regrets. We’ve all done stuff – little things and big things – that we wish we hadn’t.

Maybe you’ve done something that keeps you up at night. You keep replaying the moment over and over in your head, wondering why you did what you did. Maybe you’ve experienced lasting consequences as a result of poor choices. Perhaps you’re filled with guilt and shame, coloring how you view yourself and how you live your life. You’re haunted by the thought that you are defined by your worst mistakes.

There’s good news: God is a forgiving, healing, and restoring God.

 The Bible says of God, “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:8-12).

God is compassionate and full of grace – it’s who he is. On top of that, he has gone to great lengths to “remove your transgressions from you,” to see that your regrets and mistakes no longer define you.

This is where Jesus comes in. The Bible says, “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood – to be received by faith” (Romans 3:23-25a).

Jesus died on a cross to wash away your past mistakes. As Jesus died, so too did the power of your sin. When Jesus rose from the dead, he left your sin dead and buried in the empty tomb. So, you can either keep carrying your guilt and your shame, or you can let Jesus carry it for you.

 The Apostle Paul was one of the most influential Jesus followers in human history, but his story is full of regrets and mistakes. In the first century, Paul had made a career out of killing Christians before having a life-changing encounter with Jesus.

Later in life, Paul wrote this: “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life” (1 Timothy 1:15-16).

For Paul, his worst mistakes no longer defined him – God’s mercy defined him. The same can be true for you, too.

Do you want to stop being defined by your worst mistakes? Do you want to experience the mercy of God by believing in Jesus? If so, or if you want to learn more, click or tap on the get involved button below.