The Choice to Move Forward

Image by Peter H from Pixabay

Our culture has become one of constantly looking back on past hurts and blaming them for current conditions.  And this is not working out so great.  On a societal level this has us floundering constantly in an attempt to fix the past.  And the consequences are painful.  It is like attempting to drive to a destination in front of us while looking in the rear view mirror.  It just doesn't work!

Society is made up of individuals. So to make a change, change must begin at an individual level. Philippians 3:13 says - "but one thing I do,forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

It is only in looking forward that we can move forward. 

How do we move forward when there are significant hurts in the past.  I, personally, have found it very helpful to realize that the past is in the past and does not define my future.  The past can only harm me if I allow it too.  I am where I am today and there is no changing that.  There is pain in the past but there are also beautiful moments and lessons learned.  But I am in charge of where I go in the future.  I can choose what I take from the past with me into the future and what I leave behind.  If I shoulder the pain and carry it with me into the future, then it will continue to harm me.  It will weigh me down slowing my steps. It will make me tired.  And sometimes, as I attempt to climb to new heights, it's weight will actually drag me back to where I was before, into the pain, and even add more pain to the pile.  But if I choose to leave the pain in the past, and take with me the good memories and the lessons learned, they will serve as encouragement.  They will push me forward as I reach for more of the beauty, they will encourage me in moments when I become tired.  The lessons learned will keep me from descending into the painful places again, but will instead serve as markers to guide me to new and better places. 

But it's a personal choice.  I have to make that choice.  And as a Christian, as a child of God, He delights in helping me if I make that choice.  He won't make it for me, He gives me that choice.  But if I make that choice He will walk beside me, He will encourage me, His Holy Spirit will speak to my spirit words of encouragement, wisdom and guidance to help me stay on that upward path.  And the views from there are so much better than in the rear view mirror!