Of Pain and Gain

Each day you must choose: 

The pain of discipline or the pain of regret.

Discipline is tough--and something we may try to avoid. But in life, short-term pain is often the only path to long-term gain. In the heat of battle it is too late to prepare. Either you are ready for the challenges of life or you will be haunted by the "what ifs", "if only", and "I should have" that accompany the failure to be prepared. That's the pain of regret.

One source defines regret as "an intelligent and emotional dislike for personal past acts and behaviours". It's painful to look back at our choices through the lens of regret and feel the weight of our failures.

May our choices today not result in regret, but rather be wise and God-honouring.

In your, O Lord, we take delight,

Our every need You can supply;

We long to do what's true and right,

So, Lord, on You we will rely.

Present choices determine future rewards.

(Our Daily Bread, April 16)