Grace Gives a Second Chance

by Charleen Burghardt

This is a chaplain story from when I was in the hospital. This man touched my heart, and I think he will touch yours, too.

As a chaplain, I visited a man I will call Mr. McIntyre, a freckle-faced, red-haired man in his 30s, dressed in shorts and a t-shirt, not the typical attire for the hospital. Tension and melancholy lingered in his green eyes, reflecting the weight of his struggles. He committed himself to detoxification, and I noticed the trembling in his body from withdrawal. I wondered if his body mirrored the turmoil within. With raw honesty, he admitted, “Drank too much, too often. The drinking has affected my health and my family,” his voice laced with defeat and brokenness.

“Drank too much, too often.”

His confession revealed the painful truth—his self-destructive behavior had cost him his wife and young child. Remorse filled his words as he confessed. Yet, in his sorrow, he also showed resolution. “I don’t want to lose my family. I want to be a good dad to my three-year-old son.”

Confession revealed the truth.

Simultaneously, regret, intertwined with grief, became his wake-up call. The consequence of his choices propelled him toward change, forcing him to confront the giant of addiction and commit himself. He found the courage to reclaim what mattered most in the searing pain of losing his family. He cried in an intense desire to change.

Regret is grief

To rephrase, regret is a deep sadness, grief, repentance, or disappointment over past actions or missed opportunities. We all have regrets for things we have said, done or missed. Overcoming remorse takes courage, as Mr. McIntyre did when he committed to recovery. With me, he confessed his wrong. Scripture assures us, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death,“ (2 Corinthians 7:10).

Then he acknowledged his need for mercy. God promises to forgive, “If we confess our sins, he (God) is faithful and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness,“ (1 John 1:9).

Acknowledge need for mercy.

Next, he shook his head when I asked him about wanting to include God in his recovery. We prayed for God to help him become sober and change his behavior and life. I prayed for God to give him fortitude.

Pray for strength to change.

Admittedly, Mr. McIntyre is not the only one with regrets. We all regret things we say or do. Maybe we missed an opportunity or misused someone.

We all have regrets.

When we confess, tell God about our regrets. Ask for help to change and be different.

Indeed, God delights in giving us a second chance, which reflects his grace. That is why Christ came to give us a fresh start and empower us to follow him.

The steps in overcoming regret:

1. Acknowledge your wrong
2. Ask God for forgiveness
3. Use your regret to motivate you to change. Allow God to strengthen you to move forward in the right direction. God gives second chances.

“God’s grace is bigger than your biggest regret.” Lecrae, a rapper who turned his life around from addiction.

Forgiving God,

I have messed up my life; I have not followed your ways. Please forgive me, and I thank you for forgiveness. Please give me strength and courage to follow you.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

Reflect: Examine ways your past mistakes can lead to change and growth.

Respond: Reorient your soul to a good God.

Read: Psalm 51

Journal Prompt: Write a prayer asking God to give you what you need.

Grace Offers Hope,

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