1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Victory...that word brings up so many thoughts. I have enjoyed many victories in my life as well as suffered through many defeats. I don't always think that defeats or failure are bad things. Crazy? ok....those of you who know me stop snickering, yes, I'm a little off the wall at times, but hang on and see where this goes! Failures are sometimes fighting the good fight, following all the rules but just not making it to the winners' circle. However, failures are at times fueled by lack of action, lack of following directions or just lack of good judgment! (I suffer from this one a lot!) This second reason for failures often leads to feelings of regret. I hate that word, usually.

Let's define regret:

regret
[ri-gret]
verb (used with object), regretted, regretting.
1.
to feel sorrow or remorse for (an act, fault, disappointment, etc.):
He no sooner spoke than he regretted it.
2.
to think of with a sense of loss:
to regret one's vanished youth.
noun
3.
a sense of loss, disappointment, dissatisfaction, etc.
4.
a feeling of sorrow or remorse for a fault, act, loss, disappointment, etc.
5.
regrets, a polite, usually formal refusal of an invitation:
I sent her my regrets.
6.
a note expressing regret at one's inability to accept an invitation:
I have had four acceptances and one regret.

Feeling the gloom and doom? I hope not, but we have to see ourselves clearly before we can ever see the depth of the need for God. Hang on...I'm coming to a better train of thought!

What the heck are we to do with the feelings of regret we are battling against? I regret eating the cookie when I wasn't hungry. I regret not walking just because I was tired (lazy but that just really hurts). I regret spending 3 extra hours working instead of putting the computer away and honoring the family time that has become so very precious to me. Regrets, man I have tons of them on a daily basis! For a very long time, I have stuffed these regrets and feelings of failure way down in the very center pit of my being....and I mean stuffed with food, lots of food. Can I just say that was one of the most stupid things I've ever done, and continued to do! Since when did God ever suggest that I keep that crap and hang on to it and suffer the ill effects of such crazy thinking? Never! God pursues us (get that....pursues us) to turn our regrets into redirection!

Regrets can become teachable moments! (now listen, I'm preaching to myself so bear with me) I believe that right now, those of us going on this journey together are in the midst of a teachable moment! The very first thing I hope that we all take away is the very truth of our verse this week! Victory is in Jesus! All victory comes from Him. Is that not the most freeing realization, ever? It's not up to me! It's not up to you! (now don't go eat a box of chocolates just cause I said that....He is the victor, but He gives us the strength, the desire, the tools and the will to choose the right path that leads us to victory!)

What will be different this Thanksgiving? Think back to Thanksgivings past and be honest about what traditionally it looks like. Let's talk about ideas to make a healthy difference this year.