“So it came to pass, when they had brought them outside, that he said, ‘Escape for your life! Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be destroyed.’” — Genesis 19:17 (NKJV)
Sometimes, without realizing it, we surround ourselves with things that keep us locked in the past, making it difficult to focus on the future and the promises it holds. Take for instance, the photos we hang in our homes. While some may evoke fond memories, others can stir painful recollections, keeping us bound to moments we cannot change. This attachment to the past, especially when it involves pain or regret, can become a stronghold that prevents us from moving forward.
For many, the past becomes all they see. They dwell on the mistakes they made, the opportunities they missed, or the hurt they experienced. This constant focus on the past, which they cannot control or alter, leaves them stuck, unable to seize the present or look forward to the future. It’s a dangerous place to be, and for some, it can lead to depression or even suicidal thoughts as they dwell in a cycle of regret and pain.
However, your story doesn’t have to follow that path. God’s will for you is to focus on the future, not the past. The past is gone, and nothing you do can change it. Holding on to it will only prevent you from moving forward and experiencing the blessings of today and the opportunities of tomorrow. God encourages you to release the past and look toward the future.
If you choose to live this way, you’ll find yourself achieving more and living a fulfilled life. The Apostle Paul had this understanding when he said, “…I do not count myself to have apprehended; 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 the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” — Philippians 3:13-14 (NKJV).
Today’s Rhema
Forget the past because you can’t do anything about it. Instead, focus on today so that you can make tomorrow better!
Confession for the Day
Father, I am grateful for this wonderful teaching. I choose to let go of yesterday so that I can focus on today and use it to determine what tomorrow will be. As I do this, I am making progress in all areas of my life and achieving great feats in Jesus’ name. Amen!
