The baggage of our past is one of the hardest things to put behind us and move forward. However, we can do it with God’s help if we do these things:
■ Stop dwelling on the past. Sometimes we find ourselves dwelling on what we could have done differently in our past. Maybe it was the heartbreak of a relationship that ended too soon, or a regretful choice we made years ago. We can’t change our past, but we can learn from it, put it behind us, and move forward with a positive outlook. “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” (Isaiah 43:18, NIV)
■ Forgive those who hurt us. We may have been hurt by another person in our past and continue to relive that painful situation in our minds. Unforgiveness in our heart will keep us chained to our past. That’s why we have to let go of the bitterness, anger and pain of our past. Then, we can put our past behind us and move forward, forgiving others like God forgave us. “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32, KJV)
■ Live in the present. Life can often feel overwhelming, with worries about the future or regrets about the past. In times like these, we have to put our past behind us and move forward by shifting our focus to the present moment. It’s comforting to know that God has a good plan for our future, which frees us to live in the present. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)
■ Let go of our past mindset. Letting go of the past involves a transformation of our minds. We don’t have to stay stuck in our old way of thinking. God is renewing our minds with a new way of thinking in Him. With a transformed mind, we can put our past thoughts that no longer serve us behind us and move forward to the perfect will God has for our lives. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2, KJV)
So be encouraged today and always remember: Once we put our past behind us, we can forget about it and move forward to the great things God has in store for us. “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.” (Philippians 3:13, KJV)
Minister Sherry Ivy is a minister of New Providence M.B. Church (Healing & Yoke Destroying Ministry) in Macon, Mississippi, under the leadership of her husband, Pastor Willie J. Ivy Sr. She can be contacted via email at [email protected].
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