Do you ever lie awake at night wondering if your life could have been different?

It’s common to feel like you’ve lost track of the years and life seems to have slipped right through your hands. Worse still, you can always count on your brain to bring up those little reminders about everything you’ve done wrong along the way. Missed opportunities just keep stacking up.

The ancient Greeks had a myth about an entire city of people living out this experience. Argos, as it was known to the ancient world, was a place where a long shadow had been cast. Their king had been murdered. But not by an enemy outside the walls; he was betrayed by his wife and murdered by her suitor.

The event weighed heavily on their collective conscience, to the point that the people of Argos became known for their public confessions of guilt. But that’s not all. No sooner had the king passed away than a massive plague of flies descended upon the city. There were so many that they blocked out the light of the sun. The people believed this was the curse they had to endure for allowing the death of their king.

Shame can be a lot like that.

When things unfold in your life that you regret, it’s hard to move on. Really hard. Like the people of Argos, you may fall into a pattern of self-condemnation. Eventually, you start expecting that things will always be this way, that you can never escape the past. Somewhere along the way, you may even forget yourself; the only part you remember is the part you want to forget.

Maybe this is you?

If it is, know that the Bible offers another narrative for your story—one where you are not defined by your past, your mistakes or your weaknesses.

Want to know more about how God’s Word can define your story? The verses below can help you start your journey today:

1. When you’re haunted by your past
   Those who walked in the dark have seen a bright light. And it shines upon everyone who lives in the land of darkest shadows.– Isaiah 9:2 (GNTD)
2. When you’ve made mistakes
   Be alert and think straight. Put all your hope in how kind God will be to you when Jesus Christ appears.– 1 Peter 1:13 (GNTD)
3. When you feel weak
   He had to be one of us, so that he could serve God as our merciful and faithful high priest and sacrifice himself for the forgiveness of our sins.  And now that Jesus has suffered and was tempted, he can help anyone else who is tempted.– Hebrews 2:17-18 (GNTD)