{"id":26494,"date":"2026-04-13T10:38:15","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T10:38:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/?p=26494"},"modified":"2026-04-13T10:38:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T10:38:15","slug":"spring-cleaning-for-the-soul-7-ways-to-rid-yourself-of-regret","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/?p=26494","title":{"rendered":"Spring Cleaning for the Soul: 7 Ways to Rid Yourself of Regret"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

Spring is known as the time to clean our houses, to search through closets, and to rid ourselves of unnecessary items. Likewise, it\u2019s a good time to search through our souls and rid ourselves of the unnecessary things we carry around year after year within us.<\/span><\/p>\n

One such weight many of us carry is regret.\u00a0<\/span>Studies<\/span>\u00a0show that regret is the most common negative feeling humans experience.<\/span><\/p>\n

In a national\u00a0<\/span>survey<\/span>\u00a0asking what regrets a typical American experiences, researchers found 13 shared sources of regret, with romance as the number one, followed by family, education, career, finance, parenting, health, \u201cother,\u201d friends, spirituality, community, leisure, and self.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some regrets are easier to push aside and move forward from, like the thought that I shouldn\u2019t have worn this dress or these shoes today. Or why did I eat all the cookies?<\/span><\/p>\n

Other regrets, ones that seem more life-changing, are much harder for individuals to come to terms with later on. Because hindsight seems 20\/20, we often see situations more clearly looking back than when we actually went through them. It\u2019s a type of vision that often leads to deep feelings of regret.<\/span><\/p>\n

Photo Credit: \u00a9 Getty Images\/shironosov<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

How to Begin Cleaning<\/h2>\n

Sadly, regret relentlessly taunts us with the \u201cwhat ifs\u201d and \u201cif only I had or hadn\u2019t\u201d thoughts. It pushes us to relive and replay in our minds the times we missed out on or messed up.<\/span><\/p>\n

Unfortunately, this constant regretful jabbing can take a toll on our lives, as\u00a0<\/span>research<\/span>\u00a0indicates that failing to reconcile with past regrets can affect how we deal with present stresses and situations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yet there is hope. Though regret tells us we lost out, God\u2019s word tells us,\u00a0<\/span>\u201cNo, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us\u201d<\/em>\u00a0(<\/span>Romans 8:37<\/span>).<\/span><\/p>\n

So how do we move past the \u201cwhat ifs\u201d in life? How do we find peace and contentment in how life has played out so far? Here are seven ways to begin.<\/span><\/p>\n

Photo Credit: Getty Images<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

1. Remember God’s Grace and Mercy<\/h2>\n

Pre-licensed therapist\u00a0<\/span>Gretchen J. Penner<\/span>\u00a0ASW, who specializes in the treatment of trauma, anxiety, and depression, is a big believer in self-compassion, saying, \u201cIn order to let go of regrets, we need to treat ourselves to the same compassion and love that Christ bestows on us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Penner describes self-compassion as accepting our humanness with its imperfections, realizing, as\u00a0<\/span>Romans 3:23<\/span>\u00a0states, that we have all fallen short of the glory of God. \u201cIf we are perfect and never make mistakes,\u201d she explains, \u201cthen we don\u2019t need the cross, Christ, or His love and mercy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As\u00a0<\/span>Psalm 23<\/span>\u00a0tells us how God\u2019s grace and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives, Penner explains how \u201cSelf-compassion means we accept the love and mercy of God.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She offers us a picture of what this might look like, of a long cape or train wrapped around our waist that follows us, wiping away our mistakes. When we look back to see our footsteps and the mistakes we\u2019ve made, we don\u2019t see them because God\u2019s grace and mercy have covered them and wiped them away.<\/span><\/p>\n

Photo Credit: Getty Images<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

2. Confess Any Unbelief<\/h2>\n

Romans 8:28<\/span>\u00a0tells us,<\/span>\u00a0\u201cAnd we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose\u201d\u00a0<\/em>(<\/span>Romans 8:28<\/span>).<\/span><\/p>\n

Because God assures us of His ability to work things out for us, regret is often rooted in unbelief, a lack of trusting God to really do what He says He will do with all things in our lives.<\/span><\/p>\n

Instead, we often repeatedly choose to believe regret\u2019s accusations that our lives could have been better if only? Believing we messed up and missed out, nagging us to think that what we did or didn\u2019t do would have made things turn out differently.<\/span><\/p>\n

So what can we do with this type of unbelief? We can confess it and ask God to help us overcome our unbelief (<\/span>Mark 9:24<\/span>).\u00a0<\/span>1 John 1:9<\/span>\u00a0explains<\/span>, \u201cIf we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

We can choose to trust God to work all our life events together for good, including regrets, even when it seems impossible to us. We can choose to believe what Jesus told us, that everything is possible to one who believes (<\/span>Mark 9:23<\/span>).<\/span><\/p>\n

Photo Credit: Getty Images<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

3. Let Go of Regret<\/h2>\n

Matthew 6:34<\/span>\u00a0urges,\u00a0<\/span>\u201cTherefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

The film<\/span>\u00a0What About Bob,<\/em>\u00a0starring Bill Murray, is about a man paralyzed by his fears and phobias who decides to take a vacation from his problems. Weighed down and burdened by his issues, he begins by taking \u201cbaby steps,\u201d a technique his therapist urges him to do.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Bob follows his therapist\u2019s advice, his problems soon disappear because instead of dwelling on his fears and anxiety, he faces them and focuses on living life to the fullest.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even better than our taking \u201cbaby steps,\u201d God urges us to\u00a0<\/span>\u201cCast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you\u201d<\/em>\u00a0(<\/span>1 Peter 5:7<\/span>).<\/span><\/p>\n

God is inviting us to give all our regrets to Him, offering us relief from the weight and burdens, allowing Him to carry them for us. Like\u00a0<\/span>Psalm 55:22<\/span>\u00a0encourages,\u00a0<\/span>\u201cCast your cares on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Photo Credit: Pixabay<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

4. Receive God\u2019s Peace<\/h2>\n

Regret keeps peace away, just the opposite of what God wants for our lives. Jesus tells us, \u201cDo not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in Me\u201d<\/em> (John 14:1).<\/p>\n

One way to receive His peace is to dwell on God\u2019s word rather than regret. Rather than letting regret keep replaying in our minds, we can focus on what God offers us. Scripture reassures us that God\u2019s peace is available to us when we are willing to receive it.<\/p>\n

    \n
  • \u201cYou will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you\u201d (Isaiah 26:3).<\/li>\n
  • \u201cLet the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful\u201d (Colossians 3:15).<\/li>\n
  • Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid\u201d (John 14:27).<\/li>\n
  • \u201cI have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world\u201d (John 16:33).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Photo Credit: Getty Images\/marydan1512<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

    5. Reach Out beyond Regret When Possible<\/h2>\n

    For areas where regret has plagued us, it\u2019s okay to reach out where there may be opportunities to right a wrong. Things like apologizing to people we\u2019ve hurt, forgiving those who have hurt us, and more.<\/span><\/p>\n

    If we broke promises to others, failing to carry through on our word, we can ask if we can make it up to them.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Because God is reconciling the world to Himself through Christ by not holding our sins against us, He has also given us the ministry of reconciliation (<\/span>2 Corinthians 5:19<\/span>).<\/span><\/p>\n

    Through Him, we can reach out beyond regret when we have the ability, opportunity, or power to do so. However, we also need to realize that when it\u2019s not an option, we can trust and believe God to make things right in our lives and the lives of others.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Photo Credit: Getty Images<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

    6. Learn from Past Regrets<\/h2>\n

    Can anything good ever come out of regret? Is it possible to learn from it?<\/span><\/p>\n

    Penner, in her discussion of self-compassion, describes how it helps us to take a compassionate view towards why we made the mistakes we made, saying, \u201cSometimes we need to ask ourselves, \u2018Did I do the best I could with the information I had in that moment?\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

    She reassures how, \u201cSo often it\u2019s easy to look back and judge our decisions with information we now have, but didn\u2019t have back then. We can only do the best we can with the information that we have in the moment we are in.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

    Like\u00a0<\/span>2 Corinthians 4:7<\/span>\u00a0reminds us,\u00a0<\/span>\u201cBut we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

    Going forward, we don\u2019t have to depend on ourselves or our own knowledge to make decisions; we can rely on God\u2019s power to help us and work through us.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Photo Credit: Getty Images<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

    7. Go Forward with Confidence<\/h2>\n

    Joseph\u2019s remarkable story in the Bible illustrates how we can move forward with confidence in life rather than dwell on regret.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Scripture doesn\u2019t record Joseph dealing with regret, even though there was much room and opportunity for him to experience it. He could have wished he hadn\u2019t told his brothers about his dream or hadn\u2019t worn his flashy coat around them. His actions could have weighed him down the rest of his life, causing him to ask himself, \u201cWhat if I hadn\u2019t done these things? Maybe my brothers wouldn\u2019t have sold me into slavery?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

    Yet years later, he sums up his perspective on his brothers\u2019 actions towards him.\u00a0<\/span>\u201cYou intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives\u201d<\/em>\u00a0(<\/span>Genesis 50:20<\/span>).<\/span><\/p>\n

    Like Joseph, we can believe God intends good for our lives. We can also choose to trust Him to help us rid ourselves of regret, and to give us a new perspective on His working everything together for our well-being.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Photo Credit: Getty Images<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

    Lynette Kittle<\/strong> is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today\u2019s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.<\/p>\n

    \n Originally published Thursday, 09 April 2026.\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Spring is known as the time to clean our houses, to search through closets, and to rid ourselves of unnecessary items. Likewise, it\u2019s a good time to search through our souls and rid ourselves of the unnecessary things we carry around year after year within us. One such weight many of us carry is regret.\u00a0Studies\u00a0show<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":26495,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[8835,266,8836,880,6340,154],"class_list":{"0":"post-26494","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-christian-living","8":"tag-cleaning","9":"tag-regret","10":"tag-rid","11":"tag-soul","12":"tag-spring","13":"tag-ways"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26494","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=26494"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26494\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/26495"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=26494"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=26494"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=26494"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}