The War Between Your Ears, Lesson 5: The Cave of Regret

And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.” 3 And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. 1 Kings 19:1-3 4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom (juniper) tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!” 1 Kings 19:4 And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:9 Regret is rooted in making poor decisions and missing out on great opportunities. Remorse is a deep regret or guilt for a wrong committed, that often results in self-resentment and self-hatred. Repentance means to turn away from your sin and past, and turn to God’s grace and forgiveness. Five Cause of Regret: 1. Past Mistakes When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders. 4 “I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.” “What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.” 5 Then Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and went out and hanged himself. Matthew 27:3-5 “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.” 2 Corinthians 7:10 2. Disappointments and Unmet Expectations. 3. Puzzling Circumstances. 4. Difficult or Failed Relationships. 5. Unfulfilled Hopes, Promises and Dreams.