The Secret to Finishing Life with No Regrets

We all want to live with no regrets, but getting there takes more than good intentions. In a world that pushes us to chase more—more success, more stuff, more approval—it’s easy to lose sight of what really matters. But deep down, most of us aren’t looking for a bigger life; we’re looking for a meaningful one. The kind of life that won’t leave us wishing we’d spent our time differently when it’s all said and done.

Jesus once told a story about a man who did everything “right” in the world’s eyes—but still missed what mattered most. His story reminds us that the greatest regrets in life don’t come from what we lacked, but from what we valued too late.

If you’ve ever wondered how to live with fewer regrets—or even none at all—this post is for you.

The Parable of the Rich Fool: A Timeless Warning (Luke 12)

In Luke 12:16–21, Jesus shares the parable of the rich fool. It’s about a man whose land produced so much grain he had no room to store it. So he made a plan to tear down his barns and build bigger ones. He told himself, “Take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” He believed he had secured his future.

But God called him a fool.

“Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?” (Luke 12:20, NKJV)

Jesus wasn’t against saving or hard work. He was warning us against living as if this life is all there is. The man wasn’t evil. He was just shortsighted. He failed to make space for what mattered most—his relationship with God and the impact his life could have had on others.

It’s a sobering reminder: just because you’re winning by the world’s standards doesn’t mean you’re living wisely.

The Wake-Up Call from Hospice: Regrets of the Dying

Bronnie Ware, a hospice nurse from Australia, spent years caring for patients in their final weeks of life. She began to notice patterns—recurring things people said when the end was near. These weren’t bitter complaints. They were quiet reflections. Honest realizations.

What she heard the most weren’t regrets about money or fame. They were regrets about relationships, authenticity, and joy. They were about the life they didn’t live.

There’s something sacred about the clarity that comes near the end. The things we chase tend to fade. What remains are the people we loved (or didn’t), the risks we took (or avoided), and the God we followed (or ignored).

The 5 Most Common Regrets at Life’s End

Bronnie Ware captured five of the most common regrets people voiced. Let’s look at them—and how we can live differently today.

1. “I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.”

Many people realize too late that they’ve lived for someone else’s approval. Whether it’s parents, peers, or culture, expectations can be powerful. But the life God has for you won’t always line up with what the world calls “success.”

Reflection: Are you walking in the calling God uniquely gave you, or just checking boxes others handed you?

2. “I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.”

This regret was almost universal, especially among men. They missed time with their children. Their marriages suffered. The years flew by, and they couldn’t get them back.

Work isn’t bad. But when it takes over everything else, even good work can become a god. Rest is not weakness. It’s worship.

3. “I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.”

People regretted holding back what really mattered. They feared conflict or rejection, so they stayed quiet. But that silence created distance, and sometimes pain.

Kind truth spoken in love heals. It deepens relationships and opens hearts. The people in your life need your voice—your encouragement, your honesty, your love.

4. “I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.”

In the end, it’s people—not possessions—that matter. Many dying patients felt deep sadness over lost friendships. Not because of big fights, but because of neglect. Life got busy, and connections faded.

Don’t wait for tragedy to reconnect. Send the text. Make the call. Show up.

5. “I wish I had let myself be happier.”

This one may surprise you. But many people realized that joy had been available all along—they just didn’t take it. They stayed stuck in patterns, routines, and the belief that someday they’d slow down and enjoy life.

Joy isn’t something we wait for. It’s something we choose, right in the middle of ordinary days.

Beyond Materialism: Building a Life of Purpose

So, how do we live differently?

Jesus ends His parable with a challenge: “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:21).

Being rich toward God means investing in things that last. It means living with open hands, generous hearts, and a clear sense of what actually matters.

It’s not about poverty. It’s about purpose.

We weren’t made to gather more. We were made to give more, love more, and live more fully in the presence of God and in service to others.

Practical Steps: Reordering Your Priorities Today

Here are a few simple ways to begin living with fewer regrets:

1. Revisit Your Schedule

Look at your calendar. Does it reflect your true priorities? If someone read your planner, would they know you value God, people, rest, and purpose?

Make space for margin. Build in rest. Guard your time with those who matter most.

2. Invest in People, Not Just Projects

Who are the people God has placed in your life? How can you encourage, mentor, or serve them today?

Make time for real conversations, family dinners, and unexpected kindness.

3. Listen for God’s Voice

Are you spending time with God regularly? Even 10 minutes a day in Scripture and prayer can reshape your perspective. Let Him speak into your priorities before the world does.

4. Practice Saying “No”

You don’t have to do everything. Some things—maybe even good things—are distractions in disguise. Practice the strength of simplicity.

5. Take Small Risks Toward Your Calling

If there’s something God has been nudging you toward—a dream, a conversation, a step of faith—don’t keep putting it off. Obedience in small steps leads to life without regret.

Living with Purpose Now, Finishing with Peace Later

You don’t have to wait for retirement or crisis to live intentionally. You can begin today.

No one finishes life wishing they had been busier or more impressive. But many do wish they had loved deeper, served more freely, and followed Jesus more fully.

You can live with fewer regrets, not because you’re perfect, but because you’re aligned with the One who made you. That’s where peace begins. Not in bigger barns, but in a bigger view of God.

Invitation to Prayer and Support

If this post stirred something in your heart—if you’re wondering what steps to take, or if you feel like you’ve wasted too much time—know this: it’s never too late.

God is the Redeemer of time. He can restore the years you think you’ve lost and lead you forward with fresh strength.

I’d love to pray with you. Just click here to send me a text or visit www.dailydevotionsforbusylives.com/voicemail to leave a voicemail. You’re not alone.

Make Today Count

Regret doesn’t have to be the final word over your life. In Christ, we have the opportunity to begin again, every single day.

So don’t wait for a wake-up call. Live with purpose now. Love well. Listen to God. Invest in people. And build a life that ends not with regrets, but with joy and peace.

Today is a gift. Use it like it matters. Because it does.

Listen to the companion episode: "How to Live With Zero Regrets."