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Listen while you read: "Praise To The Lord The Almighty"1 (Lyrics) |
"But you didn't have the benefit of hindsight," I was assured. Through this timely advice, I felt a burden lift. I remember that lovely, comforting feeling, but forget what prompted that remark. Probably, I was berating myself over having missed some perfect opportunities, and my listener caught the problem: I had forgotten that what would only later become obvious was not yet obvious at the time.
That got me thinking about hindsight itself. By definition, it's the understanding of a situation or event only after it has happened or developed. We refer to hindsight when we say, "If I had known that at the time, I would have done differently." We believe that we could have improved the outcome if we had had the benefit of hindsight.
However, after the fact, hindsight may do more harm than good. Since we can't change the past, we're left with regrets, and possibly guilt and shame. Yet our guilt may be unfounded, for we cannot control factors which influenced the outcome.
What is it then that we so fervently regret? I think it's this: Deep down, we regret our inability to control destiny. We regret that we are merely human and not God. Our first parents, Adam and Eve, must have felt that regret. They were never allowed to return to the Garden and undo their terrible deed. That path was blocked by angels with flashing swords.
Certainly, if I could redo the past, I'd make sure things worked favourably — for me! For example, the time I expressed apprehension about giving someone my writing project. How would this be taken? Would I be misunderstood? (Note my self-interest.) My friend, after listening, laughed and said, "God's legs aren't so short that He can't catch up to you!" That was timely advice! Of course, God's ways aren't dependent on our choices. God can use anything, whether virtuous or evil, for our benefit and for His good purposes.
That happened for Jacob's family, recorded in Genesis 37-50
Eventually this family would see their troubles work for good. They would be reunited and enjoy unimagined outcomes, like forgiveness, reconciliation, and salvation. Through happy tears, they'd hear their long-lost brother, Joseph, say, "But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good." (Genesis 50:20a NKJV)
That's where I see one true benefit of hindsight: Some day we will be able to look back and see everything in our lives all working for good. Such hope can heal our griefs and regrets.
Romans 8:28 – And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (NKJV)
Prayer: Lord, help us to accept and forgive whatever may be preventing us from moving forward with faith, anticipating unimagined outcomes. Amen.
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daughter: "Update May 19, 2025: Please keep praying for our daughter. She has another health concern which we..." 
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Thank you, Diane.
Good advice, Diane.
Enjoyed your message today.
Mistakes are good – they keep us humble and we learn.
Thank you, Diane. I have many regrets, so this is helpful.
Very insightful Diane. May I reflect on this often. Shalom.
Lovely prayer at the end of today’s devotional. Thank you for it.
Another good truth, Diane. Thank you for sharing your writing. Our God is surely good.
Amen and amen! Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us.
Blessings.
This is very good Diane, I for one have been helped by your sharing, as led by Holy Spirit.
In His Word! Thank you.
Hi Diane,
Nobody ever talks about it but imagine the guilt and shame of Joseph’s brothers. Guilt for the act and shame at not stopping it.
Good morning, Diane,
Thank you for this message today. I can identify with it, and I have never heard that phrase before, God’s legs are not so short that He cannot catch up to you.
God bless.
Good Tuesday morning Diane,
Again, a thoughtful and inspiring devotional!
I especially liked the phrase “God’s legs aren’t so short that He can’t catch up to you!”
God’s best to you!
Diane, thank you. This is so true.
When you are living through a hardship, it is only afterward that you can see how God was at work in our lives.
Blessings,
(QC)
Hi. Just shared this with a friend who is looking back and beating herself up for not being with her dad when he passed. She is not a believer but since I read this today and she commented just shortly after, I felt a prompt to send anyway.
May God use this to help.
Blessings.
Your devotional hit me today right where it hurts (in my heart). You see I have a daughter who, as of several months ago, has cut me out of her life.
The messge you give on “Hindsight” today surely hits home in my situation. If I had hindsight in this whole mess, my heart would not be broken.
Over the years we (we being my late husband and myself) have done nothing but help her over the years. My heart is broken, and hindsight won’t heal it. I have come to the point where I know I have to leave it in God’s hands, hindsight is not helping me one bit.
Folks, don’t let quarrels cut you off from your loved ones. FORGIVE.
Thank you for your words of wisdom today.
Dear Diane,
What an awesome devotional again. Thank you so much.
Even though we may be undergoing difficult times with health issues, leaning on God’s everlasting arms throughout it all is the best and most wonderful way to live. Even Joseph continued looking unto His heavenly Father. Whatever has happened to us may also be reckoned as humanly speaking things that are bad, but God’s purposes are meant for good always. We may not see that until much later.
During that time we are His holy experiment which will end well.
I am so glad that you are still writing. May God continue to give you His strength and unfailing love always.
Blessings.
Thank you, Diane! Your devotion was a timely one, as usual. (I say this with a bit of a chuckle, and chagrin!).
With perfect hindsight this week, I have been chastising myself for not picking up my feet, and watching where I was going recently when entering a local place of business. Had I kept my eyes in a forward position, perhaps I would have made it safely over a doorsill, and not performed a perfect face-plant. Oh, the pain! Oh, the embarrassment! However… I have had to still carry on with public responsibilities and duties while sporting a new but temporary, facial appearance. And yes, I have been questioning God’s purpose in what was only a small misstep in life. All is well, though, and healing is taking place.
With thanks for another excellent devotion and thinking of you and your journey.
Blessings!
(ON)