You must continue to move forward in faith, and leave your past behind. Moving forward is necessary to a purposeful pursuit in your life.
“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: 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.”
Philippians 3:13-14
Forgiveness is essential to dealing with the past. We are called to forget what is behind, and to press forward. No longer carrying the burdens of shame, regret, guilt, anger, or bitterness from when we were wronged by someone, or when someone wronged us.
Forgive those who have hurt you.
Seek to reconcile with those whom you have hurt.
Move forward in faith, knowing that God is at work, and that “for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
This is not about the power of positive thinking, and it’s not “mind over matter” and it’s not “name it and claim it.”
It is how God has designed you. Pursue a deeper relationship with God, and receive His grace and forgiveness for your failures and shortcomings. And give grace to others who have wronged you. As you focus on Him, and seek to follow Him, He will transform your heart and mind, to give you a different perspective.
A new mind.
A transformed heart.
A new purpose.
Do do not dwell on the past, and do not be enslaved by it. Deal with it, but don’t let it burden your present. Do not let the past define you. Instead, let Christ define you.
You belong to Christ. He is at work in you. He alone has the power and authority to heal, restore, and renew. Look to see the hand of God at work in all circumstances.
“… I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.”
Philippians 4:11
You will see what you look for. You will find what you seek.
We may not see His hand, and we may not understand His work, but we can have confidence that He is with us, and that He is good, and that He will be glorified in all circumstances.
See God’s grace.
See God’s forgiveness.
See God’s love.
We must move forward in faith, knowing that He has a plan, and He is going to accomplish His work, according to His will … in us, through us, around us.
For His purposes.
For His glory.