It’s that time of year we tend to look back, celebrating milestones and happy events, grieving losses of the year that has been. This can be valuable, but there is a risk: it is easy to slip into regret and self-judgment.

In contrast to repentance, which allows us to feel grief about choices and chart a better course, regret and remorse tend to bury us in shame and condemnation. While repentance changes us for good; self-judgment fuels destructive actions.

As it turns out, looking back to second-guess our decisions is deadly. It undermines happiness and contentment with what we have and who we are. It can poison relationships and spoil our endeavors. It can leave us obsessing, “If only…” or “What if?” and make us blind to new possibilities.

Jesus describes hell as a place of “weeping and gnashing of teeth” – a graphic description of regret. Of course, pain is appropriate when we have a bad outcome, but we never really know what would have been down that other fork in the road. Could’ve been better. Could’ve been worse.

Thankfully, though, we have a promise. It is God’s enduring and redemptive intention and action toward those who care for Him and His ways.

The other Paul reassures us – “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  – Romans 8:28 (NIV)  We know… in all things… God works!

If we take it to heart, Paul’s message is a huge relief for us who tend toward regret and who get mired in remorse. Rather than engage in second-guessing, we may indulge in ever blessing the goodness of God and His willingness to take whatever He is given and make it better.

Naturally, turning it over to Him is the tough part, but this is where the practice of looking ever forward helps us. As we keep our eyes on Him, we cultivate curiosity about what God will do with those vexing and disheartening aspects of our lives. If there is good to come of my bad, what could it possibly be?

Jesus reminds us of our need to keep our eyes fixed on the horizon. “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”  – Luke 9:62

As we serve God, we learn to live out the same intention for good that He maintains. Whatever each day brings, we work in it for good. Each day, we release the past and strive with all the energy He gives to engage moment by moment with faith, hope and love.

“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”                                                                                                                                               – Philippians 3:13,14

Press on, then, into this new year! And to fortify you, enjoy this old song that says it well –

Don’t Look Back!