Don't Let Your Past Define You

You shall not go out with haste,…for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard. —Isaiah 52:12

 "Our yesterdays hold broken and irreversible things for us. It is true that we have lost opportunities that will never return, but God can transform this destructive anxiety into a constructive thoughtfulness for the future. Let the past rest, but let it rest in the sweet embrace of Christ." - Oswald Chambers

None of us are free from heartaches, disappointments, or regrets. Some of them were our doing, some not.  But, if you are born again, new in Christ, you do not have to let your past - that which has been cleansed by the blood of Jesus, define you. 

“….. 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.” Philippians 3:13-14 

Oh that we could embrace that attitude. Well, actually we can, but not just by willing it.  That right attitude and understanding of our old and new natures is a product of a deep and abiding relationship with Christ.  I was speaking with one of my daughters the other day about the nature of heartache.  If you were to break a bone, it would be painful of course, but the pain would eventually subside.  You can remember the event.  You can remember that you broke that particular bone.  A dull ache you get might even remind you when a storm is approaching.  But one thing you cannot do is feel the sharp, stabbing pain that you felt when the bone was broken.  You know it hurt, but you cannot conjure up the same feeling that you had in the past. Not so with a broken heart.  It only takes a word or a thought to bring back the pain of the moment when your heart was broken.  

“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted  and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” - Psalm 34:17-28

What a promise.  He delivers us out of all of our troubles.  He gives us strength.  He gives us comfort.  He gives us hope.  He gives us life.  You have so much to look forward to in the days ahead.  Don’t let the pain of the past define you or hold you back.  Instead let the Lord renew you. 

“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." - Isaiah 40:31

Some people might try to hold your past over you as emotional leverage - or perhaps they have yet to lay their past before the Lord. It is at those times that you might feel remorse or guilt - which was the goal of their bringing it up to begin with. Don't resent them. Pray for them. Or you know that the Lord has forgiven you but you cannot forgive yourself. I get it, but remember that you are a child of God - forgiven and blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 1:3).

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Confess it - Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone