There is a quote that comes to mind, when I find myself dwelling on and in the past. I saw it while scrolling through Pinterest and I am not sure who said it, but the truth of it echoes through my mind “Don’t look back, you’re not going that way.” Sometimes it is easy to get stuck looking back, re-living pain, hurt, disappointment and sometimes really good times, thinking that life will never be better than what we experienced back then. There are aspects of our past that have a firmer grip on us than sometimes we even realize and we become so comfortable with the hold it has onus that we stagnant in that area. While we can learn from the past it is not a place that we set up camp.
No one is suggesting that moving on from our past is easy. It isn’t but it is also not impossible. That’s why Jesus came, to release us from our bondage and to give us freedom. Paul says it so well when he says “forgetting what is behind, straining toward what is ahead”. I take should comfort in the word “straining” because it shows that there is tremendous effort that is needed in order to move forward and keep moving forward. Regardless what has happened in the past, good or bad, that is not what we have been called too as people of God. We do not live in what is behind us, God has more for us and we all need to put in the effort of straining toward what is ahead, the wonderful peace, joy and abundance of the Jesus. He is able to give you the strength to break the chains that are holding you back. Give it to him, surround yourself with people who will encourage you in the Lord and what He has for you.
It is not easy, but it is not impossible for our God. Begin the journey of forgetting what is behind you and strain towards what is ahead. You will never regret it.
by Kalesha Peters
