The end of the year is a great time to reflect on where you are, and where you’d like to be in the next year.
We have a simple challenge you can do right now: post one of the images below to your social media, answer the question yourself, and ask your friends what their answer would be. As your friends comment, look for opportunities to start deeper conversations with them.
Below the images are some topics that may come up in response to your social media post, and verses to go along with them. Read more on how to use these social media conversation starters here.
Common Areas of Regret:
Relationships with people
Lost relationships - Death, break-ups, and holding grudges
Lost opportunities - Didn’t find a good relationship, didn’t repair one, or didn’t pursue someone
Unhealthy relationships - Surrounded myself with the wrong people, worried what people thought of me, or unhealthy dating/marriage relationship
Some helpful verses…
- Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
- John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
- Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
- Ephesians 4:2-3 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Family
Lost relationships - Divorce/separations, death, damaged relationships, or didn’t stay in touch with family
Hurt in relationships - "I’m disappointed with..." or "I disappointed..." a family member, wrongdoing in a relationship
Lost time - Missed events, didn’t spend enough time with family, or couldn’t start a family
Some helpful verses...
- Exodus 20:12 Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
- 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.
- Proverbs 18:24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
- Psalm 103:17 But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children.
- Proverbs 31:10-11 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
Finances
Bad financial situation - Spent too much, didn’t save enough, got into debt, or didn’t manage finances well
Wasn’t generous - Didn’t give/share or didn’t tithe
Some helpful verses…
- Ecclesiastes 5:10 Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.
- Ecclesiastes 7:12 Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: that wisdom preserves the life of its possessor.
- Proverbs 13:11 Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.
- Proverbs 17:16 Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom?
- Exodus 22:25 "If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not be like a moneylender; charge him no interest.
Job/Work
Job instability - Lost a job/laid-off, couldn’t find a job, or a business failed
Bad work situation - Not appreciated, mistrust, or "I hate what I do"
Work/life balance - Work too much, "I wasn’t a good witness", "I wasn’t thankful", or "I had a bad attitude"
Some helpful verses…
- Proverbs 14:23 In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.
- Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,
- Proverbs 13:4 The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.
- Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:11-12 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.
- Philippians 2:14-15 Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
Relationship with God
Lack of relationship - Didn’t consider spiritual things, or "I lost my faith"
Lack of priority - Didn’t go to church enough, didn’t pursue God enough, didn’t read the Bible/pray enough, didn’t tithe, didn’t engage in community, or didn’t thank Him enough
Missed opportunities - Didn’t share my faith, "I wasn’t obedient to a call on my life", or "I didn’t ask forgiveness for sin"
Some helpful verses…
- Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope
- John 6:40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.
- 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
- Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
- John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
- Acts 3:19 Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out,
- Ephesians 6:14-20 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
Personal Life
Missed Opportunities - Travel more, take more risks, or do more for others
Personal Development - Lack of self-belief, need to overcome fears, need to improve myself, or "I didn’t see my own value"
Lack of Balance - Spend more time on myself, have more fun, not take life so seriously, or connect more
Some helpful verses…
- Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
- Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,
- 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
- Ecclesiastes 9:7 Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do.
Health
Poor Health - Bad health news, time lost from health issues, fear/worry about health, or constant sickness/pain
Lack of Self-Care - Didn’t eat well, didn’t work out, smoked or drank too much, or didn't go to the doctor
Some helpful verses…
- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
- 3 John 1:2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.
- 1 Timothy 4:8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
- Proverbs 17:22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
- Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
- Jeremiah 33:6 Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.
