Longing for a Redo: Finding Hope and Healing Beyond Regret and Shame
by Kori de Leon, www.adoringchrist.org
“Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God. “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.” Isaiah 40:1-2 (ESV)
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by your mistakes? Life inevitably confronts us with the stark reality of our sins—moments that expose the consequences of our moral failures. In these times, we often experience regret and shame. But it is precisely during these periods that we must cling to God’s promises so we do not get stuck or spiral into deep discouragement.
I recall a day when I recognized the impact of some thoughtless words I had spoken about someone. Without careful consideration, my premature judgments influenced another’s perspective of them. When I realized that my careless words potentially damaged a budding relationship between the two people, I was deeply grieved and longed for a redo. On the days when we come face-to-face with the ruins of our sinful hands, where can we turn? Inspired by Isaiah 40–48, I turned to God for help to face the pain and regret of my sinfulness.
Often called the Book of Comfort, Isaiah 40–48 is home to some of God’s most precious promises to help his people. I love how God begins the Book of Comfort by announcing one form of help that he provides to his people—deliverance and restoration from our sins! Israel was in exile due to her moral failures, but God announced the good news that he would help his people once again by forgiving their sins and redeeming the wreckage they caused.
This passage teaches us to find refuge in God when we struggle with sin and shame, reminding us that in our dark days, God is with us, and ready to help us. We can lay our failures in his gracious hands, ask him to redeem what we have broken, and empower us to follow him in the path of righteousness and restoration. He is faithful, even in our times of failure, and for this, I offer yet another song of praise. I love our God, and I celebrate His abundant grace with you again today!
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
We approach You with humble hearts, recognizing our sins and failures. Please comfort us with Your forgiveness, cleanse us from all unrighteousness, teach us to walk in righteousness, and redeem the ruins our sins have caused. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Engage:
What personal experiences have you had with seeking a “redo” in your life, and how has God helped you find hope and healing from regret and shame? Share your stories and insights below—it might be just what someone needs to hear today!
Adoring Christ More:
For further exploration of God’s faithful love and the help He provides for his people, check out my Bible study, Upheld: Meeting Our Trustworthy God in Isaiah.
A New Beginning:
If you are led by God’s message of forgiveness to start a relationship with Him, begin by admitting to God that you are a sinner in need of His mercy. Believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins and rose again, as affirmed in Romans 10:9–10, which says, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Invite Him to be your Lord and Savior—an act of faith that marks the beginning of a new life in Christ!
If you want to take this step or learn more about living a life with Christ, please reach out to us at www.adoringchrist.org. We would be honored to help you begin your journey with Christ, providing guidance and support as you grow in a relationship with God.
© 2024 by Kori de Leon. All rights reserved.
