Is the past keeping you from moving forward? (Prayer included)
Posted on September 06, 2023 by Freda Smith, One of Thousands of Christian Coaches on Noomii.
I am sure we can all agree that sometimes, we look back at what we did when we were younger, and we think “How on earth was that ME who did that?”
We look back at our actions and some we admire and some we are appalled by. We look back in judgement and we wish that we can take it all back or we reminisce and wish we can still be that adventurous/fit/supple or whatever we think we did well, once upon a time.
We then get stuck in a loop of either “wishing I was still that person/with that person” or “I can never take that back and I have to carry that for the rest of my life”.
We are filled with guilt, if that something that we did was bad, or filled with melancholy if we miss the “good old days.”
We keep on forgetting, however, that with each passing day we are getting molded, and we are getting wiser. Each day not only teaches us more about our surroundings, but most importantly, it teaches us more about ourselves.
When we look at ourselves through the eyes of current day judgement, we must remind ourselves that our minds are not on the same level today as they were then. We are thus judging ourselves with more knowledge NOW vs what we had back then.
Let’s look at some of the verses in the Bible regarding our past, how we perceive it and what is expected from us:
1 Corinthians 13:11
“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”
Isaiah 43:18-19
” Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”
The Bible makes it clear that we should not be hung up about anything of the past. Why? Because when you are hung up over the bad things you did, wallowing in your guilt and shame, then Christ died on the cross for your sins, in vain. When you reminisce about the “good old days” on the other hand, you are telling God that you do not think that His future journey for you has anything good in store.
Isaiah 43:18-19 makes it so clear that the past is in the past to make way for a glorious future, guided by God. He will continue to mold you like the Master Creator He is, and He will continue to place you exactly where He wants you to be, even if it doesn’t always make sense.
Perhaps today you are reading this and realizing that you are still hung up by the past, be it something bad you did, or holding on to memories of the past that block you from moving forward.
Here is a prayer you can pray today to release you:
Father God, I realize today that I am still riddled with unforgiveness toward myself. I still feel guilt and shame for what I have done in the past. I know unforgiveness is not from you and I know Jesus died on the cross for ALL my past, present and future sins. Jesus, I release this big bag of shame and guilt to you now. I know, because I believe you died on the cross and rose again, that I am saved and therefore my sins are completely forgiven. I am standing in front of you cleansed in your Holy name. I know that holding on to shame or guilt is not from you, but it’s from the Enemy. Please protect me with Your mighty armor to remind me that I can walk in joy and peace, knowing that I no longer have to beat myself up over anything from the past. Please also give me the courage to apologize to those I have wronged, but also the peace in my heart that I am forgiven even if they are not alive anymore to receive my apology. Jesus, I also pray that you help me trust you with my present and future. Jesus, I find myself missing the “good old days” wondering why I am where I am today. I understand that in doing that, I am blocking you from giving me the gift of the present and also of the future, blocking you from molding me into the person you want me to be and blocking myself from all that there is you have to offer. I thank you for always wanting what is best for me. I thank you for the knowledge that like any good father, (as written in Luke 11:11-13 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?) you will only give me what is best for me. Thank you for my beautiful memories but thank you for helping me make new ones, each and every day.
Thank you for your continuous molding in my life, making me the vessel you intended me to be. I pray you will continue to guide me on your path and continue to draw me closer to you, should I wander off. I wholeheartedly trust in You and Your timing in my life.
Jesus, in Your name I pray. Amen.
Friends, let’s not look back like Lot’s wife, but continue to look ahead. Our journey is crafted and as long as we trust that God has the best intentions for us, and we hold his hand trusting His timing, we will soon discover something beautiful and exciting in each day, making the past stay where it belongs; in the past.
Reach out to me for a free pre-coaching Explore session below, so I can help you truly let go of the past, God’s way.
