You're listening to the Allender Center podcast with Dr. Dan Allender.

Each week, we dive into topics that reflects something of what it means to foster hope and

healing in a world so in need of restoration. These conversations grow out of the work we do

with individuals and communities across the country,

which you can learn more about at the Allender Center.org.

Well, there is no one on the earth that I would rather end a year and begin a year with than my beloved wife.

Thank you for joining me back.

It's good to be on with you, honey.

Well, we're going to talk about the end of the year, the beginning of the year.

And in many ways, I think as we talk about the end of a year, the beginning of the year. In many ways, I think as we talk about

the end of a year, I think it's really important to address the issue of regret. And as we begin a year,

we need to address worry. And in many ways, right from the beginning, what I want to say is we

define it, try and put words to it, try and explicate it through our own

lives. I want you to hear that in many ways regret and worry are almost identical. Regret is

reflection of worry on the past, and in some ways, worry is an anticipation of regret in the future.

So as we deal with these two topics, we're really wanting you to hear they do bookend one another.

So as we come to thinking about the nature of how a year ends, I've noticed a lot of friends who say they don't reflect back on a

year. They don't go back through a calendar. They don't reflect on major events. They just get on

with the next year. Because Christmas is such a compelling and complex season. It's easy just to get overwhelmed, come to the new year,

and sort of set your sights forward to what is ahead.

But when I've asked again and again, what keeps you from reflecting on the past,

often the word regret seems to come up.

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