Forgetting the Past

Many people seem to be haunted by their past. They nurse grudges and relive moments when they felt slighted. They remind themselves of ways they felt hurt by other people and have been mistreated. Others are mad at God because He may not have answered a prayer they prayed years ago.

In times like these, we need to remember the lesson Paul taught: the importance of letting go and forgetting. The fact is that we cannot change the past. So why would we worry about things we cannot possibly control or change?

Yes, it is important to learn from the past and not to repeat past mistakes. But the Bible reminds us we should not spend our lives looking back. Instead we are to press toward the “upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” It is a call to move forward.

We also need to be free from our past mistakes and sins. If we have asked God for forgiveness, He has forgiven them (1 John 1:9). David declared that He has removed our transgressions “as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12). He literally has buried our sins in the depths of the sea.

Are you allowing things in your past to hold you back? Is your mind plagued by memories and mistakes? Have people said or done things that have wounded you? Ask God to help you move forward. Press onward!