What to Remember When Trying to Forget the Past
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In the past few weeks, I’ve held several conversations with women who are hurting over the past. The current status of a health issue, or tough relationship, or problematic situation has settled, but they continue to mourn what has happened and wish they could change it.
If there is one thing you can’t change, it is the past. But you can change how you view the circumstances and “get over” your past. Getting over it may not necessarily be the goal, but perceiving the past properly should be the goal. Today I wanted to share with you what has helped me when I have gotten hung up over problems that have occurred in my life or mistakes I have made- 7 Biblical principles on what to remember when trying to forget the past.
1. Though we as humans make mistakes, God is perfect and never makes mistakes.
As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. Psalm 18:30
2. Even when bad things happen due to sinful decisions, God can redeem any situation, no matter how wrong.
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good,… Gen. 50:20
3. Though forgetting the past is tough, God understands that moving forward is a strain as well.
forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Phil. 3:13&14
This verse also tells us:
4. When the past threatens to overtake our current effectiveness,God has a call on our lives that can only take place when we take steps towards the future.
5. As a Christian, my past is covered by the blood of Jesus; God views my sin debt as paid in full through the sacrifice of His son.
And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Heb. 10:17
6. When we’re tempted to be overwhelmed by anything more than the current day we’re living, we must remember that Jesus’ advice was to live in the present.
Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matt. 6:34
7. When we begin to live fully in the present, God unfolds His glorious plan of hope and reveals it to us, day by day.
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. Jer. 29:11
I’ve made my share of mistakes and sometimes it’s easier to dwell on what might have been than to focus on the blessings of today. The principles above have been strongholds of Scripture in my life to remain focused to God’s plan for my life. I pray they have encouraged you as well!
What do you remember in order to forget the past?
Thank you for this! Dealing with a family member over a parenting decision we have made. I have been hurt so deeply by the way I was spoken to, the words she used, and the gossip that occurred behind my back at a family gathering after I left. Dealing with how to extend grace and forgiveness in the midst of hurt and anger. One thing I know is that the Lord is carrying me through it. Thank you!
J~
This was so good for me to sitdown and read tonight, been battling with husband all day over past issues and, how they seem to resurface I have no idea. But I can’t get over or seem to forget lies and it has ruined our whole day, I am so ashamed of myself and that I would not just put my entire trust and love for the lord above all the messes in life. I am encouraged to read everyones responses, thank you for this.
Tough topics, Jackie. I’m so sorry to hear of your difficult time with this issue. Forgiving ourselves and others for past failures is not easy, but yes, God can turn any of our mistakes into success. That is His business- the redemption business. May God bless your journey of faith and trust in Him.
Really struggling with forgiving myself for all the sin in my past. And praying I can be the Christian mom my girls need and deserve, and that God guides me. He surely turned my mess into a message. How do you deal with Sun’s of your past And your kids? I don’t want to be fake. But I’m sure most of us have done something we’d love to leave in the past. I don’t want to “glorify” my sins. Of course, at 19, I wasnt thinking about what I’d tell my kids.
Jennie- God has forgiven your past and He not only saves us, but He redeems our lives. When the time is appropriate to tell your children of your own mistakes, God will give you thew wisdom for the words.
Hi Rachel,
Romans 8:1, Psalm 34:18, Romans 8:28 and Hebrews 13:5 and 6. In summary these verses say there is no condemnation now because I am in Christ Jesus, the Lord is close to those who have a humble and a contrite heart, broken over my sin, and He works all things together for good according to His plan, and He will never (repeated three times in the Amplified) leave us helpless nor forsake us, and the Lord is my Helper.
I have a daughter who is running away from Jesus. At one point I was pleading with the Lord to not let her do something that I knew was a terrible mistake for her and her one month old son, my words were to not let her go backwards because it had appeared she had been making progress. I heard (I don’t know if it was audible) the Lord say to me “I see this as going forward because this is part of my plan.” Instead of the distress I was feeling, I was at peace and could see Jesus’ hand in using all of life, in her life and mine to draw us to Him, no matter how ugly the circumstances, and know a spiritual battle is being fought behind the scenes for us and those we love. Not that I take advantage of His goodness, or His grace, but to know His plan is more far reaching than mine, no matter how badly I’ve messed up.
Blessings,
Joanne
oh Amen! Thank you so much for the verses you mentioned, Joanne!
Thanks Rachel for this blot today. It has been a real encouragement to me. God bless and have a great day.
God is gracious, Polly. Hope you had a great day!
Thank you so much for writing this blog today, this blog today sure had my name on it. I needed this blog today so much….Thank you and Bless You……
Blessings to you, Barbara!
Thank you for your blog. Thank you for being transparent. Thank you for THIS post! I needed it right now. Today.
Bless you Friend!