Spiritual Depression: #4 “Vain Regrets,” a sermon by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones.
Here is another very important sermon regarding the unhappy Christian. Sometimes people get hung up on the past, and constantly dwell on it. Is that you? When this happens we become unable to do the works Christ has for us, and the devil gets the victory.
Dr. Jones says this:
We must never for a second worry about anything that cannot be affected or changed by us. It is a waste of energy. If you can do nothing about a situation stop thinking about it; never again look back at it, never think of it. If you do, it is the devil defeating you.
One scripture that comes to my mind while studying this sermon is what Paul says in Philippians 3:13-14:
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
He tells us to forget the past and press forward toward the mark for the prize. Like a runner in a race, we need to set our focus to do the work that God has called us to do.
You may ask, “Do you have regrets?” Yes, I have many of them. There were times in my life where I did let my regrets get me down. I was down-hearted and depressed that I didn’t have the life that many of my friends had. I was poor financially, physically and spiritually. But, I kept in the Word and I was able to learn that I didn’t need to stay that way. I had to focus on Jesus and things above and not on the world around me. We have a home in heaven and we have all spiritual blessings. God will never leave us or forsake us. He is with us always and has the best intentions toward us.
I will never forget one day as I sat in my chair having my prayer time this scripture came to mind.
Joel 2:25 KJV And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten,…
I knew at that moment that this was a promise that God was giving me. Tears started to run down my cheeks. It was wonderful! Yes, God would restore those years that I felt were lost, and I claimed that promise and had a new peace inside. Do you know what? God did just that! Since that time, my health was restored. I got completely over having panic attacks. Fear no longer controls me! I met a wonderful Christian man and got married. With him I got 4 step-children, and 8 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. I’d say God restored to me the years the locust had eaten!
How about you? Are you willing to quit thinking about your past regrets and press on with God? I’d love to hear your comments below, and I do hope you listen to this excellent sermon. You just might find the answers you look for.
