“The past is gone and does not exist anymore”. This is a statement that I would wish was technically true. I will not rush to agree with it as the consequence of such ignorance cannot be ignored. The past has no existence in the reality-of-now but it does exist in the thoughts of our minds; and that existence in fact can hold you down and affect your present and your future. It is easy to get stuck in the past and dwell in its experiences, whether good or bad .
While it’s true that reflecting on the past can be a helpful learning tool for making better choices going forward, spending too much time looking back and wondering “What ifs “ can be detrimental .
“We are products of our past, but we don’t have to be prisoners of it.”
― Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here for?
Deal with the Past – Good riddance!
We need to break the power of the past dominating our present and
determine our future. Onward ever back ward never. Jesus says (Luke 9:62).. “No one, having put his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God”.
We should break and never allow the past to exercise a hold on us. The more we look back the less able we are to see forward. Ever wondered why cars have a big front windshield and comparatively very small rear mirrors? We should choose to be forward focused, not past possessed.
Looking back at injustices and wrongs done in the past might hold someone in a space of self-pity, bitterness or even have an entitlement for empathy. Looking back on struggles, failures and expectations that never came through might bring in a self-doubt whether we are good enough or whether victory will ever be found.
Dwelling on the past successes can give a false assurance that things must go well today. Wallowing on past achievements can slacken individuals with capacity and potential to a comfort zone. After all don’t they deserve to spend all their time basking and taking pleasure in the delight and glory of their past success? I don’t think so as “Time and tide wait for no man!”
Probably the most common stronghold in a person’s life in past mistakes and failures. Well each one has a number of those. If not watched, Failures of the past do plague a person with guilt and condemnation. Yet we are judged on what we are and not what we were. Once forgiven there is no condemnation of the past deeds. Romans 8.1” Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,”
Td Jakes puts it that – “You are not yet free when your former oppressor is still after you. You are a runaway slave…running and looking at your back. If your past is still after you then you are not “Free indeed” ( John 8:36) you are “a runaway slave”. It is until your Pharaoh (whatever is behind pursuing you) is completely destroyed in the red sea that we can be “free indeed” and take up your tumbrels like Miriam and give the Lord a dance Exodus 15:21.
God wants to “Setup” and destroy whatever is pursuing us from our past,For Israel to be free, God had to setup Pharaoh and destroy him (and his power)in the red sea.
Decide to deal with the past. Shake off the shackles of the past experience and move forward. The past is past and has no life.
John 8:36 Therefore if the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.
Php 3:13 Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
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