Well, we all hurt others, as part of what it means to be a sinner, and we live with the

memories of the ways that we have hurt others, and it leads to this really humble and sincere

question that comes from a listener named Roy.

Dear Pastor John, I have been reflecting recently and was reminded of the hurts I have inflicted

upon people whom I have crossed paths with in the past.

As much as I would like to seek restoration, the means of doing so are no longer practically

possible.

While I believe that in Christ those past wrongs are forgiven, I can't help but feel a

lingering sense of guilt and regret when I bring to mind those incidents.

How do I reconcile the reality that I have been forgiven in Christ for the hurts that

I have caused, of which restoration is no longer possible, in my lingering sense of regret?

I think the first thing I should say is that probably in this life, the things we have

done wrong that hurt people in the past will always be remembered, if they are remembered,

they'll always be remembered with a sense of regret.

It seems to me it would be a sign of callousness if we felt no measure of sorrow for the wrongs

we have done and the hurts we have caused.

So I don't intend to tell Roy that while he lives in this world, he can get beyond those

feelings of sorrow and regret.

Those are signs of a tender heart, not an unforgiven soul.

The key is this.

Will his life be paralyzed by those memories and those feelings of regret or will those

very feelings empower him with a sense of greater grace, greater gratitude, greater joy at

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