Lazarevic Ministries

Regret is a universal experience. We all have moments in our past that we wish we could erase or decisions we would give anything to reverse. These regrets can haunt us, making us feel as though we are doomed to live with the consequences forever. However, as Christians, we hold onto a hope that transcends our past mistakes: the promise of restoration.

In Joel 2:25, we find a powerful assurance from God: “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten.” This verse speaks directly to the heart of our regrets. The locusts represent the losses and destructions in our lives—the results of poor choices, missed opportunities, and painful experiences. But God’s promise is not just to heal but to restore and multiply the blessings in our lives.

Regret can be a heavy burden. It can make us feel unworthy and distant from God, as if our mistakes have placed an insurmountable barrier between us and His love. The enemy often uses regret to keep us in a cycle of shame and self-condemnation, whispering lies that we are beyond redemption.

But the truth is, no one is beyond God’s grace. The Bible is filled with stories of people who made significant mistakes but were redeemed by God’s mercy. King David, Peter, and Paul are just a few examples of individuals who, despite their failures, were restored and used mightily by God.

When we come to Christ, we receive more than just forgiveness for our sins. We receive a new identity and a new purpose. Our past no longer defines us; instead, we are defined by Christ’s righteousness. This transformation is beautifully described in 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

God’s promise to restore the years that the locusts have eaten means that He will take our brokenness and turn it into something beautiful. He doesn’t just patch up the wounds of our past; He makes us whole and adds abundantly to our lives. This restoration is not limited to spiritual blessings but extends to every area of our lives—relationships, opportunities, and even our sense of purpose.

The process of restoration begins with repentance and surrender. When we acknowledge our mistakes and lay them at the feet of Jesus, we open the door for His healing power to work in us. God delights in taking our mess and turning it into a message of His grace and redemption.

As we walk with Christ, we begin to see the evidence of His restoration in our lives. The relationships that were once broken start to mend, new opportunities arise, and we experience a peace that surpasses all understanding. God’s blessings overflow, and we find ourselves living in the abundance of His love.

It’s important to remember that restoration is a journey, not an instant fix. There will be moments when we are tempted to dwell on our regrets, but we must choose to focus on God’s promises instead. Philippians 3:13-14 encourages us to “forget what lies behind and strain forward to what lies ahead, pressing on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

In those moments of doubt, remind yourself of Joel 2:25 and God’s unwavering commitment to restore your life. Trust that He is working all things together for your good, even when you can’t see it. Your past does not have the final say—God’s grace does.