3 ways to leave the past behind

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Cracking open old photo albums, watching home movies and reminiscing about good memories are activities many people enjoy. It’s fun to remember the good times! But thinking about the past isn’t always positive or helpful in our spiritual lives.

Rehearsing past hurts and reliving painful memories is harmful. Some people wear their yesterdays like a garment—allowing them to define who they are today. Towing around old shame, guilt and hurt only hinders the blessings of God and gives the devil a place in your life where he doesn’t belong.

Right now, determine to kick guilt and shame to the curb, and bring your thoughts under control according to 2 Corinthians 10:3-6. Instead of allowing your mind and Satan to dictate your thoughts, you can tell your mind what to think (Philippians 4:8). James 4:7 says to submit to God and resist the devil, and he (Satan) will flee from you!

It’s time to take back the peace the devil has stolen and embrace your future. Here are three steps you can take to leave the past behind and walk into a place of blessing.

1. Leave the Past Behind By Receiving Emotional Healing

“Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.” (Isaiah 53:4, NKJV)

Spiritual bumps and bruises. Inner aches and pains that just don’t seem to go away. Most all of us know what it’s like to suffer from them, but too few of us know just what to do about them.

We limp along, hoping somehow those hidden wounds will stop hurting, thinking that maybe (with a little extra sleep or an extra helping of dessert) that nagging sense of depression will finally disappear. But inner healing is often a process rather than an event. As you daily spend time with God and in His Word, you will find that He brings healing to those inner hurts and memories of the past.

No matter how complicated or painful, nothing less than complete healing is promised to you in Jesus. The best place to start is with a promise. According to 2 Corinthians 5:17, “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

Every thought, memory and emotion can come to a place of peace and healing in the Name of Jesus. As Isaiah 53:4 says, He bore our griefs and sorrows on the Cross, so we don’t have to bear them anymore. They are all under the blood, and we are redeemed. Hallelujah

2. Leave the Past Behind By Forgiving and Receiving Forgiveness

“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” (Colossians 3:12-13)

There’s nothing like unforgiveness in your heart to keep you chained to the past. Unforgiveness has been linked to depression, illness and disease. It’s toxic! So, get with the Lord and determine, with His help, to forgive every wrong ever committed against you. Then, take a deep breath, and enjoy your newfound freedom!

But, wait…what about receiving forgiveness?

Part of leaving the past behind is learning to release guilt and shame from your life. When you confess your sins, repent and receive forgiveness. You are forgiven—end of story. God doesn’t hold sin against you. He has already forgotten it, so you must forget it, too.

Of course, Satan will try to bring up and replay your mistakes and sins over and over in your mind like a movie. But remember, he is the enemy, and he can be resisted. We can forgive ourselves and forget those things that are behind, and press on toward God (Philippians 3:13-14).

God is Love, and He loves you —regardless of your past. So, receive His forgiveness and acceptance, forgive yourself, and then let go of those things that are behind.

3. Leave the Past Behind By Focusing Forward

“But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 3:13-14)

Once you’ve stopped living in the rearview mirror, where should you put your focus? Forward! That’s where the prize is and that’s where true peace and victory are found.

Unbelief looks at the past and says, “See, it can’t be done.” But faith looks at the future and says, “It can be done, and according to the promises of God, it is done!” Faith steps out, knowing that the victory has already been won. If you’ll take God at His Word, you can wake up every morning to a brand-new world. You can live life totally unhindered by the past.

So, do it! Replace thoughts of yesterday’s mistakes with scriptural promises about your future. As you do that, hope will start taking the place of depression. The spiritual aches and pains that have crippled you for so long will quickly disappear.

A life free from the bondage of the past is within your grasp, so begin implementing these three steps and look to a blessed and bright future!

© 1997 - 2017 Eagle Mountain International Church Inc. Aka Kenneth Copeland Ministries. All Rights Reserved.
 
Greetings,
I want to add by example.
I have known folks who quickly get angered and upset when a name is mentioned.

Once you get talking to them you find the root.

30 years ago this person did something that offended the other person.
30 years later and they still hold to the offense.

Friends it does not matter if it was 2 minutes or 200 years, Forgive and let it go.
When you hold offense against some one it Only Hurts You !! The one who you feel offended you suffers nothing.

Holding unto an offense has consequences you will adhere to.
1. Brings stress and deteriorating health.
2. It hinders your prayer life.
3. It hinders your love walk
4. Ultimately hinders your Faith and the results there of.

Mark 11:25 is written as a command for a reason.
When You Stand Praying - Forgive - If you have Aught - Against Anyone - So Your Father - Which is in Heaven - May Forgive You - Your Trespasses or Sins.

Paul says He Forgets About the Past And Presses On toward the Goal or Prize which Ultimately is Jesus Christ our Salvation.

You can not do this with Unforgiveness in your heart.
Blessings
FCJ
 
What an amazingly novel, interesting, succinct, and straight-forward treatment of a psychologically complex issue using spiritual principles to effect a resolution. Providing that the afflicted individual puts their full faith in God to manage their mental state, and not compartmentalize painful memories, then this technique has great promise. Ultimately the success of any such endeavor is with the full and complete placement of one's faith in God, since it is with God that all things are possible. Thank you for posting this interestingly practical algorithm. I very much look forward to testing its efficacy on myself.

Blessings.
 
When I was an undergraduate so many years ago I am not counting. :D I remember my psychology professor telling a story about two different approaches to counseling, one indirect and one direct. He told of a woman who came for counseling to Dr. John, who used the indirect method, and later to Dr. Van, who used the direct method of counseling She went on and on and on expressing her mistakes, pitfalls, fears, regrets of actions done, unresolved hurts, old pains, etc. in her session with Dr. John. He listened quietly, uttered a few hmmmms, and continued to nod "yes" as she spoke while sometimes repeating back to her what she said. Then when she went to her session with Dr. Van and expressed the same mistakes, pitfalls, fears, regrets of actions, old unresolved hurts, bitterness, anger, etc. After listening attentively for about twenty minutes, he pounded on the table and said loudly, "Maggie, don't you do that anymore!" And she went away determined to change her behavior/attitude lest when she came back he would do the same.

At that time the story was told to show the difference between two methods of counseling but I think God is like both of them. Like Dr. John he listens and encourages quietly. But a time comes when he pounds on our tables and says.,."Don't do that anymore." :)
 
The reason that God succeeds where humans often fail is that He knows our hearts and minds better than we or anyone else does. Who better to counsel us? Who better to be our guide, choose our mates, and help us through tough personal decisions? No one. So God knows when to listen, when to speak, and when to rebuke. It is our part to listen, hear, and obey, and that's usually where the difficulty arises - not with God, but with our willingness and obedience.
 
Another story about "leaving the past behind" comes to mind. Once upon a time there was this little boy who shot a squirrel and buried it. Some time later he decided to dig it up. When he did so it smelled (stunk) really bad. Digging up something dead and gone can be pretty dumb. Of course, not everything qualifies as dumb and stinky. But I think digging up the dead things of the past as a regular (and even daily) practice really does stink. :D
 
Cracking open old photo albums, watching home movies and reminiscing about good memories are activities many people enjoy. It’s fun to remember the good times! But thinking about the past isn’t always positive or helpful in our spiritual lives.

Rehearsing past hurts and reliving painful memories is harmful. Some people wear their yesterdays like a garment—allowing them to define who they are today. Towing around old shame, guilt and hurt only hinders the blessings of God and gives the devil a place in your life where he doesn’t belong.

Right now, determine to kick guilt and shame to the curb, and bring your thoughts under control according to 2 Corinthians 10:3-6. Instead of allowing your mind and Satan to dictate your thoughts, you can tell your mind what to think (Philippians 4:8). James 4:7 says to submit to God and resist the devil, and he (Satan) will flee from you!

It’s time to take back the peace the devil has stolen and embrace your future. Here are three steps you can take to leave the past behind and walk into a place of blessing.

1. Leave the Past Behind By Receiving Emotional Healing

“Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.” (Isaiah 53:4, NKJV)

Spiritual bumps and bruises. Inner aches and pains that just don’t seem to go away. Most all of us know what it’s like to suffer from them, but too few of us know just what to do about them.

We limp along, hoping somehow those hidden wounds will stop hurting, thinking that maybe (with a little extra sleep or an extra helping of dessert) that nagging sense of depression will finally disappear. But inner healing is often a process rather than an event. As you daily spend time with God and in His Word, you will find that He brings healing to those inner hurts and memories of the past.

No matter how complicated or painful, nothing less than complete healing is promised to you in Jesus. The best place to start is with a promise. According to 2 Corinthians 5:17, “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

Every thought, memory and emotion can come to a place of peace and healing in the Name of Jesus. As Isaiah 53:4 says, He bore our griefs and sorrows on the Cross, so we don’t have to bear them anymore. They are all under the blood, and we are redeemed. Hallelujah

2. Leave the Past Behind By Forgiving and Receiving Forgiveness

“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” (Colossians 3:12-13)

There’s nothing like unforgiveness in your heart to keep you chained to the past. Unforgiveness has been linked to depression, illness and disease. It’s toxic! So, get with the Lord and determine, with His help, to forgive every wrong ever committed against you. Then, take a deep breath, and enjoy your newfound freedom!

But, wait…what about receiving forgiveness?

Part of leaving the past behind is learning to release guilt and shame from your life. When you confess your sins, repent and receive forgiveness. You are forgiven—end of story. God doesn’t hold sin against you. He has already forgotten it, so you must forget it, too.

Of course, Satan will try to bring up and replay your mistakes and sins over and over in your mind like a movie. But remember, he is the enemy, and he can be resisted. We can forgive ourselves and forget those things that are behind, and press on toward God (Philippians 3:13-14).

God is Love, and He loves you —regardless of your past. So, receive His forgiveness and acceptance, forgive yourself, and then let go of those things that are behind.

3. Leave the Past Behind By Focusing Forward

“But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 3:13-14)

Once you’ve stopped living in the rearview mirror, where should you put your focus? Forward! That’s where the prize is and that’s where true peace and victory are found.

Unbelief looks at the past and says, “See, it can’t be done.” But faith looks at the future and says, “It can be done, and according to the promises of God, it is done!” Faith steps out, knowing that the victory has already been won. If you’ll take God at His Word, you can wake up every morning to a brand-new world. You can live life totally unhindered by the past.

So, do it! Replace thoughts of yesterday’s mistakes with scriptural promises about your future. As you do that, hope will start taking the place of depression. The spiritual aches and pains that have crippled you for so long will quickly disappear.

A life free from the bondage of the past is within your grasp, so begin implementing these three steps and look to a blessed and bright future!

© 1997 - 2017 Eagle Mountain International Church Inc. Aka Kenneth Copeland Ministries. All Rights Reserved.

Thanks so much. This is great and another confirmation to me I am headed in the right direction.
Thanks again.
 
Greetings,
I want to add by example.
I have known folks who quickly get angered and upset when a name is mentioned.

Once you get talking to them you find the root.

30 years ago this person did something that offended the other person.
30 years later and they still hold to the offense.

Friends it does not matter if it was 2 minutes or 200 years, Forgive and let it go.
When you hold offense against some one it Only Hurts You !! The one who you feel offended you suffers nothing.

Holding unto an offense has consequences you will adhere to.
1. Brings stress and deteriorating health.
2. It hinders your prayer life.
3. It hinders your love walk
4. Ultimately hinders your Faith and the results there of.

Mark 11:25 is written as a command for a reason.
When You Stand Praying - Forgive - If you have Aught - Against Anyone - So Your Father - Which is in Heaven - May Forgive You - Your Trespasses or Sins.

Paul says He Forgets About the Past And Presses On toward the Goal or Prize which Ultimately is Jesus Christ our Salvation.

You can not do this with Unforgiveness in your heart.
Blessings
FCJ

Great words. thanks so much.
 
Another story about "leaving the past behind" comes to mind. Once upon a time there was this little boy who shot a squirrel and buried it. Some time later he decided to dig it up. When he did so it smelled (stunk) really bad. Digging up something dead and gone can be pretty dumb. Of course, not everything qualifies as dumb and stinky. But I think digging up the dead things of the past as a regular (and even daily) practice really does stink. :D

I once heard a preacher say that yesterday is dead and gone. When you did it up you are digging up dead stinky filthy bones.
I have always remembered that. seems lately i have forgotten it, though. so thank you for the reminder.
 
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