Moving Past Your Past
Every one of us has a past that tries to creep it's way into our present, whispering it's promise to always be there in our future. While it's sometimes hard, or seemingly impossible, to silence the thoughts and fears that arise, it is vital to walking in freedom and fulfilling the unique call of God on your life. We must all find a way to live above the lies, hurts, and wounds that trip us up from time to time. One way we do this is by speaking the truth in the midst of hurtful and victimizing emotions.
As long as your meditating on how wrong the lie is, your mind is still focused on that lie. Your life will follow your focus and if the enemy can just keep you thinking about the lies- even if it's in a negative way- he will keep you on the path to self-defeat. It's only when we begin to replace the lies with truth that we begin to walk in freedom.
Today's culture will tell you that you are the victim and that you deserve to stay that way. While that was true, Jesus paid a very high price so that you were no longer bound to the flesh and it's desire to play the victim. Victims are absolved of all responsibility and are owed everything from everyone. Living this way will keep you stuck in a prison cell of your own making and the one who has the key is you. We have to choose which we want more in this life: to remain a victim or become a victor. There is no middle ground.
The lies in your head and the emotions you feel because of them are frauds of the truth. They aren't connected to truth because they are not connected to your identity or who you truly are. If God doesn't grade you based on your performance, then neither should you! Your past is right where it should be, in the past. Cling to truth and you will begin to walk beyond it into all of the glorious plans that God has in store for those who are brave enough to trust his word...
25 Verses for Moving On
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 3:13-14 (AMP)
I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. I do not ignore or nullify the [gracious gift of the] grace of God [His amazing, unmerited favor], for if righteousness comes through [observing] the Law, then Christ died needlessly. [His suffering and death would have had no purpose whatsoever.] -Galatians 2:20-21 (AMP)
Do not remember the former things, or ponder the things of the past. Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even put a road in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. -Isaiah 43:18-19 (AMP)
For the sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the [desire of the] Spirit opposes the sinful nature; for these [two, the sinful nature and the Spirit] are in direct opposition to each other [continually in conflict], so that you [as believers] do not [always] do whatever [good things] you want to do. But if you are guided and led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the Law. -Galatians 5:17-18 (AMP)
But Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back [to the things left behind] is fit for the kingdom of God.” -Luke 9:62 (AMP)
But My righteous one [the one justified by faith] shall live by faith [respecting man’s relationship to God and trusting Him]; and if he draws back [shrinking in fear], My soul has no delight in him. But our way is not that of those who shrink back to destruction, but [we are] of those who believe [relying on God through faith in Jesus Christ, the Messiah] and by this confident faith preserve the soul. -Hebrews 10:38-39 (AMP)
But Lot’s wife, from behind him, [foolishly, longingly] looked [back toward Sodom in an act of disobedience], and she became a pillar of salt. -Genesis 19:26 (AMP)
The righteous keep moving forward... -Job 17:9 (NLT)
And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose. -Romans 8:28 (AMP)
Therefore there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior]. -Romans 8:1 (AMP)
Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, and He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way]. -Proverbs 3:5-6 (AMP)
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you [who are willing to learn] with My eye upon you. -Psalm 32:8 (AMP)
And who of you by worrying can add one hour to [the length of] his life? -Matthew 6:27 (AMP)
The Lord will fight for you while you [only need to] keep silent and remain calm. -Exodus 14:14 (AMP)
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run [their very best to win], but only one receives the prize? Run [your race] in such a way that you may seize the prize and make it yours! -1 Corinthians 9:24 (AMP)
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right and steadfast spirit within me. -Psalm 51:10 (AMP)
I have fought the good and worthy and noble fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith [firmly guarding the gospel against error]. In the future there is reserved for me the [victor’s] crown of righteousness [for being right with God and doing right], which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that [great] day—and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved and longed for and welcomed His appearing. -2 Timothy 4:7-8 (AMP)
Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. -Philippians 4:8 (AMP)