5 Powerful Bible Verses to Help You Let Go of The Past (and All Mistakes)
As we come to the end of yet another year, I recently found myself trapped in this endless cycle of dwelling on the past. More specifically, the mistakes I have made in the past. And I’m not talking about this past year, I’m talking about many years ago. It is an overwhelmingly draining cycle to get yourself in to; something that I do NOT recommend.
But I am sharing this with you because you are NOT alone. We ALL go through it. We all tend to dwell on the past, replaying different scenarios in our minds for what we might have said or done differently, and being in a better place than we are today, for instance. But it certainly is not healthy to do. It’s one thing to think about certain things in the past in order to learn from them, but it is another to actually stay in the past and fixate on trying to fix all of your mistakes (in your head).
We Cannot Go Back
What’s done is done. We cannot go back in time, nor change the mistakes that we have made in the past. All we have is the current day we are blessed with. The best advice I can give you is to focus on the present and live in the present. This will help you be more intentional with what you say and do. It will also help with how your future will turn out.
Unfortunately, we are unable to build a time machine and travel back in time. Our lives cannot be like the ones in Back to the Future, where we can go back and change our past. Sooner or later we have to come to terms with that, and jump off this rollercoaster ride in our minds.
There is nothing that we can do that will change our past mistakes
How on earth can we fully surrender to God and do His Will when we are focused on days that have already come and gone? How can we give it our all in our work life, home life, family and friends, and other relationships and matters, if we aren’t even mentally or emotionally present to do so? How are we supposed to enjoy our lives and each day God blesses us with? We cannot show true thanks or gratitude to Him.
I’ve realised that it is purely selfish. It’s hard. It hurts. But it is selfish. I have a family. And I am sure some of you reading this do too. We have jobs. We have lives to live. We have responsibilities.
But why are still stuck here? In the past… replaying old scenarios in our minds. It is absolutely miserable and draining, too. Lord, forgive us.
What Can We Do That Will Help Us Let Go of the Past?
The only thing we can do is give it all to God. Like… actually give it all to God. Lay EVERYTHING at the feet of Jesus, and walk away. Trust God completely to take your burdens away. He is the only one that can do it. And He is more than happy to. God loves you and cares about you so much. Burdens are lifted at Calvary. Thank you Jesus.
We cannot do it on our own. Surrender your all to Jesus. He is so gracious, and merciful and kind.
God already knows what you are going through. He knows your thoughts and the thoughts of your thoughts. We can come boldly unto His throne of grace and let our requests be made known unto Him. There is nothing that is too hard for Him to handle. He WILL take care of you. He WILL help you get through this battle. All you have to do is surrender it all to Him. Let go and let God.
Jesus is the ONLY answer to all of life’s problems
I knowwwww it is easier said than done. But we really have to do the best we can so that we don’t waste time in the past when we could have done such great things for God’s glory with the passing days He has blessed us with. There is work that needs to be done for the Lord while we are here on earth. For example, the great commission. Jesus commands us to go out into the world and preach the gospel to every creature. God is not willing that ANY should perish but for ALL to come to repentance. Shine the light of Jesus into the lives of others. Encourage others on their walk in their faith. Be there for your family and friends. Be a good steward of your time. Represent Jesus in all that you do each day. Make the most of it.
Like I said, it is easier said than done, but it is not impossible. It’s all a change of mindset. You have to truly commit to wanting to change things. It is a daily battle. Thankfully, though, we do not have to walk this road alone. We have a Mighty Heavenly Father who fights battles for us.
Our Lord God is so powerful, and honourable. He gives us the tools we need to win the battles in our mind, and overcome casting down imaginations, and claiming the victory.
Also remember this: we are not perfect. We are so far from perfect. It is human nature to make mistakes, and mess up. But that is where we learn from our mistakes. We can grow and mature, especially in our faith. For example, when we get saved, we don’t know everything. And we sure aren’t going to act like a perfect Christian. You start off as a babe in Christ, on a milk diet, before you can mature into someone who can understand and know more – and enjoy the the meatier parts of the Bible.
Our own lives are one big lesson. Thankfully though, the most important lesson to learn is who Jesus is and what He has done for us. Salvation is the greatest gift. Your end destination is what matters the most. This is why I said before that we have to keep our focus on God; on things above, and not of this world. This world will pass away one day. Our life is but a vapor. Sooner or later we must let go of the past, and of the little things we are fixated on, or worry about, wanting to change. This is who you are today, and this is what you get given, today, to make a difference in your life, and in the lives of others, tomorrow.
5 Powerful Bible Verses to Help You Let Go of the Past (and all mistakes):
- Isaiah 43:18 – “Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old”.
God literally commands us to not remember the things of the past. It is one thing to briefly think on things and to learn from past mistakes, but it is another to actually stay there and dwell there – mentally and emotionally speaking. Each day we are blessed with another day from God. We don’t know what the future holds. We don’t even know if we will wake up tomorrow. The past is in the past. It is time to move forward and focus on the current day that God blesses you with. Make the most of this day.
2. Romans 12:2 – “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”.
You cannot actively renew your mind if you are constantly stuck in the past. In neuroscience, when we experience trauma, the brain will act in survival mode. You need to create new neuro pathways in order for your mind to change. This comes about through a strong prayer life, reading the scriptures, following God’s Will and working through unprocessed trauma of the past. You have to put it behind you and move forward. Start creating new beliefs and behaviours that align with scripture, rather than actively dwelling on negative things that have been said and done in the past.
3. Isaiah 26:3 – “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee”.
This has become one of my favourite scriptures. Every time I am going through something stressful, I meditate on this scripture. We can only have perfect peace if we keep our minds focused on Jesus. He is the Prince of Peace. He is our Comforter, our Fortress and our Rock.
4. Philippians 2:3-5 – “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”
Put others before yourselves. Jesus showed so much compassion towards others. His perfect act of love and kindness is the greatest example we have on how to treat others. When you take the focus off of yourself, and start to help others, it will encourage you to not dwell on the past, but rather, focus on more important things.
So many people in this world need love and compassion. So many need Jesus. We need to shine the light in this dark world. To be a beacon of light and hope in this world, pray for others, help one another, lift each other up.
5. Philippians 3:13-14 – “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: 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.”
You cannot continue to grow and mature in the faith if you are stuck in the past. God has called us; He has set us apart. We have a unique purpose and calling upon our lives that God has given us. Forget the things that are behind, and focus on growing closer to God and being more deeply rooted in His love and Word. Keep your focus on things above, and not of this world. Your focus should be on this spiritual race that you are in.
Let Go and Let God
Leave the things in the past, and keep going. You’ve got this. God has you in the palm of His hand. He loves you and cares so much about you. God desires to bless you and wants what is best for you.
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