BGEA: Is there anything I can do to make up for all my lost years? I wish I hadn't lived the way I did. It wasn't worth it.

I'm in my 70s and almost completely crippled with arthritis. I know this is God's punishment for all the years I ignored Him. Is there anything I can do to make up for all those lost years? I wish I hadn't lived the way I did. It wasn't worth it. — Mrs. A.B.

One reason I wanted to reprint your letter is because I hope God will use it to wake up someone who has been deceived into thinking the devil's way is better than Christ's. It simply isn't true (as you have discovered), and nothing is worse than looking back over your life and realizing you have wasted itâ€”or worse.

The past can't be changed, much as you might wish it could. But listen: The past can be forgiven, and God can give you hope for the future! The Bible tells us that God loves usâ€”even when we don't love Him. There is much truth in the old saying you may have heard: God hates the sinâ€”but He still loves the sinner. And God still loves you; He loves you so much that He sent His only Son into the world to give His life for you, so you could be with Him in Heaven forever.

No matter how great your sin, God's grace is greater. The Bible says, "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). Turn to Christ and confess that you are a sinner and need His forgiveness. Then ask Him to come into your life and save youâ€”and He will.

As a footnote, don't assume your arthritis is a punishment from God. When we know Christ, we know He is always with usâ€”even in the midst of pain and weaknessâ€”and our hope is in Him.

5 Comments

melissa says 3.23.2012, 10:42 a.m.

i hope my daughter will forgive me someday for the life she lived growing up

JO says 6.25.2011, 7:07 p.m.

To Vanessa, I too have felt guilty most of my life because I have often let God down and have suffered the consequenses of my actions. Your letter reveals that you are repentant though (Ps. 32:5) and I believe that the LORD will forgive you. I look at the first disciples and see how much they suffered 'for His names sake' and believe that we can still have peace and joy in the midst of our sufferings. I believe that the Christian walk is a tough path with a great reward. Press on dear sister to win the prize of your heavenly calling. God bless you.

DSL says 3.31.2011, 10:56 a.m.

I imagine that God loves us like we love our children. While I have many regrets and my life hasn't turned out like I had imagined; it is because of my choices and the circumstances I've allowed myself to be in. Nonetheless, when my child fails I forgive them ... time and time again. God must love us the same way ... we need to just keep striving ... I see and appreciate when my children try harder ... God will too ...

chuck says 12.29.2010, 07:24 a.m.

I was saved and had a great and joyful walk daily with Jesus then almost 2 decades later I was defeated by circumstances. I wanted a christian wife and family too much (too soon) I backslide and wasted 20 years, I struggle for assurance and am stagered by all the evangelical churches that have dropped wednesday night, sunday night, and removed the hymn books from Church. I do not mind changes, but the heavier electric (rock) is too much at times. I have a few moments of Christ's presence. But my prayer and Bible reading has not come back like before. Press on with Jesus. Repent, Pray only Jesus can make things Great.

vanessa says 9.3.2010, 00:07 a.m.

To anyone that is in this same situation:I often too have felt that I wish I could go back and change the things I've done and how I lived when in fact I knew better. I grew up in a strong Christian home. I can't seem to forget the things I've done, choices I've made. the way ilived. I feel guilty so bad because God doesnt deserve this. I feel as though he died for nothing... look at this world, its awful, people are terrible, and most Christians today are not as they should be, meaning, they are as the Bible claims " wolves in sheeps clothing" churches are not what they should be. and guilt is a terrible thing to live with. most people years later go though a crisis, or many of them at once is God punishing them. But I have come to realise, The life I have now, the situtaions I'm facing, and the circumstance in my life, are not God's punishment, but a consequence of my actions, and choosing to rebel against God. sure, God could take away all of this going on with me right now, but maybe the reason He is allowing them to happen, is to bring to my attention what a life headed away from Christ will result in. He may be trying to teach me a lesson. Or better yet, trying to bring me closer to Him like I used to be, so He is allowing these horrible times for me to continue as a sign of how much I need Him, and how I need to Cling to Him, fall into his Word daily, for strength and faith to get past all thats going on.And believe God will answer my current prayers and cries for help.