Have you ever started a sentence with the words, “If only…”? If you have, you know that what usually follows that phrase is some regret from the past. “If only my parents were more affirming.”
“If only my dog hadn’t run away.” You get the idea.

“If onlys” have existed since ancient times. In Old Testament days, Joseph could have had a lengthy list of “if onlys.” Imagine… If only his brothers hadn’t thrown him into a pit and sold him into slavery. If only he hadn’t been thrown into prison after being falsely accused. If only everyone had told the truth.

Joseph chose not to allow the “if onlys” to be in control. He made the choice to trust God with his future rather than dwell on regrets of the past.

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on. That’s Philippians 3:13–14 and…the Next Right Choice!