Chosen by God!
Today is the twenty second day of my Birthday Month, New Year, and New Season. I have left one year behind and have entered into a new year with new possibilities.
My focus today is on letting go of the past!
"Do not [earnestly] remember the former things; neither consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." (Isaiah 43:18-19 AMPC)
Living in the past will abort my future. I can’t undo the past, but I can learn from it. I can’t move forward looking backwards. Letting go of the past could be challenging when it is laced with guilt and condemnation.
When this happens I have to remember what God’s Word says:
“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 AMCP)
While hindsight is always 20/20 I have to remember I cannot undo anything that I’ve already done. Instead I can trust that it will ultimately work together for my good.
“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 AMPC)
I also cannot undo what was done to me, the evil inflicted on me, the lies told about me, or the pain it caused me. However, I can rejoice because God had a plan even in that. It didn’t catch Him by surprise!
“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present outcome, that many people would be kept alive [as they are this day].” (Genesis 50:20 AMPC)
I have learned to embrace God’s love, forgiveness, mercy, and grace in order to let go of the past and walk in the present. You see, if the enemy can keep me in the past then I am not a threat to him in the present or the future. He basically renders me ineffective, useless. I can’t give the enemy that much power over me.
Dwelling on the hurts of the past keeps me self-focused and robs me of the opportunity to heal and to impact others. It keeps me isolated. As a member of the body of Christ we need each other. When one member isn’t functioning it impacts all of us. The stakes are too high to continue living in the past.
Another critical aspect of not being able to let go of the past is the need to want to fix it. Unfortunately I can’t fix it, just as I can’t change it. Instead I must forgive all involved and, with God’s help, move forward.
When others try to remind me of my past I must remind them of the blood and this promise from God’s Word:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come.” (II Corinthians 5:17 HCSB)
I am not that person anymore. I am learning to filter life through the Word. It’s a much more peaceful way to love.
Stay tuned, because God isn't finished with me yet! And I’m so thankful that He is not! The best is yet to come!
Be Encouraged! ❤
Leisa Wilkins Ministries
"Encouraging and Empowering you to become who God created you to be, God's Masterpiece, a Divine Original!"
Pastor | Author | Bible Teacher | Speaker | Encourager
www.leisawilkins.com