Many Christians find themselves burdened by regret over time wasted outside the church or delays in responding to God's call. They are tormented by thoughts of missed opportunities for good works and service, lamenting with cries of "if only" as they reflect on years spent without understanding spiritual truths. This regret often leads to spiritual depression, as they dwell on joys and growth in grace they might have experienced, feeling it is now too late to reclaim those lost chances. They question their past foolishness and blindness, obsessing over why they were so slow to heed God's truth despite having heard it or felt its pull at certain moments. While it is natural to feel regret for such delays, it is wrong to allow this to spiral into misery and dejection. The Christian life requires a delicate balance, walking a fine line between legitimate regret and a harmful state of gloom. To avoid this despair, one must apply common sense and wisdom, recognizing that dwelling on an unchangeable past is a waste of time and energy. The past cannot be relived, and lingering in regret only cripples present efforts. Instead of mourning what cannot be undone, energy should be directed into making up for lost time by living and working diligently in the present. Furthermore, regret often stems from a morbid preoccupation with self, judging oneself instead of leaving that to God. This self-condemnation, though appearing as humility, is a form of unbalanced self-concern. The focus should shift from personal failings to an intimate relationship with God, finding delight in His example and forgetting oneself in the process. What matters is not the timing of one's entry into the church, but the fact of being in it, justified and forgiven. Rejoice in the present state of grace, and let go of useless regrets to serve God with fervor now.

Repentance, at its core, involves a deep sense of regret, closely tied to the English word rue, which conveys sorrow and remorse. This emotional pain is a critical element of true repentance, as it reflects the wrenching difficulty of changing ingrained attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors that have hardened over time. If repentance comes easily, without some measure of pain, it is likely not genuine, for it suggests a failure to recognize the depths of one's sinful ways. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word naham is used to express being sorry or to rue. It captures the essence of regret through the imagery of strong breathing, often seen when someone is deeply sorry for a wrong and struggles to control their emotions, sometimes descending into sobbing or painful wails of remorse. This highlights the strong emotional character of regret within repentance. However, true repentance is not solely an emotional experience; it is not merely feeling sorry or having an emotional outburst about something one regrets. There is a deeper process involved. An example of regret without true repentance is seen in Judas, as described in Matthew 27:3-5, where his sorrow led only to despair and death. In contrast, godly sorrow, as shown in the Corinthian example, produces a determination to clear matters up and rid oneself of guilt. It stirs new emotions like anger at sin and fear of punishment, driving the truly repentant person to attack the problem and overcome it, seeking vindication through Christ. Thus, while regret is a necessary part of repentance, it must lead to these transformative qualities to complete the process.