Unshackling the Past

As I scrolled through my social media feed, I was suddenly overwhelmed with memories from years past. Photos, posts, and writings that I had long forgotten resurfaced, and I felt my spirit begin to sink. The 'what ifs' crept in, and I found myself dwelling on moments that no longer served me. But in that moment, I realized that I had a choice to make. I could let the past consume me, or I could let it go.

The Bible reminds us in Philippians 3:13-14, "Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Like the apostle Paul, I knew that I had to let go of the past and press on towards the future that God had planned for me.

The past, with its joys and its sorrows, its triumphs and its failures, is just that – the past. It no longer exists, and it no longer defines me. I am a new creation in Christ, and my identity is rooted in Him. As the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

I have learned that dwelling on the past only serves to rob me of the present moment and the future that God has in store for me. It is a trap that Satan uses to keep us stuck in regret, shame, and fear. But I will not be swayed. I will not let the past define me or dictate my future. I will press on, knowing that God has a plan and a purpose for my life.

I am living in His grace now, and what He is giving me is far greater than what the past gave me. My life is a testimony of His love, mercy, and redemption. I am a survivor, and I am a child of God. I will not let the past hold me back. I will keep my eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith (Hebrews 12:2).

As I close this chapter and move forward, I am reminded of the words of Isaiah 43:18-19, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." God is doing a new thing in my life, and I will not be held back by the past. I will walk in faith, trusting that He has a plan and a purpose for my life.

—MC©️

#Faith2bStrongOnPurpose