We’ve all been there: in exam halls, at wedding receptions, and several other events that can’t be mentioned and wondered why we didn’t read that topic, or why a specific thing went wrong!
Years ago, God taught me a secret to nullifying remorse (commonly known as regret). This was during high school when every time the results came back, I was never happy especially after comparing mine to others’.
Comparison is one thief of joy, but you having not put in the work is a whole other sad story. “DO WHAT YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO DO,” God said, “and when it’s all said and done, the room for remorse will be omitted by the fact that you’d given your best.”
Allow me to elucidate.
On Saturday the 15th October, we finally launched Sam’s book. Sam had published a book, but we hadn’t officially released it to the world as it needed more editing, and Sam lost his life as well. We had postponed the event from as far as late last year, and I had done my BEST with providing content that was constantly put out on social media platforms to create awareness for the launch.
Daily I did this, sharing in relevant WhatsApp groups so that the information could be relayed. Many of course promised to show up. And I was so hopeful. The day came and the hour dawned, and still I wasn’t seeing the many faces that had promised.
On the other hand, I found it odd that many who were to be there, communicated their absence. Some were sick. Others were away, and even she who’d have been our guest of honor had to go grieve with one of her mentees who’d just lost a father the day before. Now when I assess these, I only think that the enemy was up to think. The Tempest is a book that’s going to cause havoc to him, and so he did all he could to dampen the day.
Regardless, I had no remorse when others who didn’t communicate didn’t show up. I had done what I was supposed to do. By faith, we’d even added more chairs to the venue with my hope that it’d be filled to capacity. I had no remorse when some seats stared back at me as I emceed the event.
I did what I was supposed to.
And slowly, when the careless whispers of the enemy sought residence in my mind, telling me of how there were not as many people as I expected, I simply ricocheted, “I did what I was meant to.” Meaning I didn’t carry the blame for those that didn’t turn up. I kept my joy and the day went on wonderfully.
It was a shed that we were in, and a storm like this place had never seen shook the place taking off the power as well. Still, the we-had-done-what-we-were-supposed-to-do attitude kept us going, and in the end, we can say we had a great event.
I therefore advise you, to always put in the work, to do what you’re supposed to do to the best of your ability, and you’ll have no room for regret. If it’s an exam, read adequately. If it’s an interview, prepare seriously.
In the Bible, one of the stories of remorse we see is that of David who at a point tee didn’t do what he was supposed to do. He was on a roof top when he was supposed to be on the battlefield. He ended up seeing a woman naked. He slept with her. She got pregnant. He had to cover it up. He killed her husband indirectly so that he’d never find out.
He took her in. She settled in. But lost the child! David wept. O he wept. And amidst all that, he regretted why he didn’t avoid all of it from the go. Of course God carried him through, but the consequences of his decisions (which provoke the regret) never vanished into thin air…
Once, God prompted me to wake up early and start a long journey in order to be sang for as it is custom to celebrate whoever was born within the ended week at church. I dormantly took my time, travelled late, missed the session that comes annually, and then regretted!
But if only I’d done what God asked me to do, I’d have prevented the remorse; for the antidote to it, we all, already have.
Biggie's Big Blogs 