How to forget the past

The first step that you can take to become “street smart” as a Christian is to forget the past. Yikes, that sounds impossible, doesn’t it? To tell you the truth, it is actually impossible. Learning theorists seem to agree on this one thing: we actually never forget anything—we just have trouble remembering. 

The Bible says, “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14, NIV) We have an interesting dilemma here. How do we forget when it’s hard, or impossible, to forget? Is God asking us to do something we can’t do? Is He being too demanding of us normal people?

The answer is found as we look more deeply into the verse we just read. Notice Paul starts with humility: “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.” friend, you will never grow if you are proud or arrogant. Please don’t waste your time defending yourself or gathering followers to pat you on the back. Listen to your critics. When going through hardships, eat the meat and spit out the bones. I’m determined to apply these strategies in my life, and I’d like to invite you on this journey with me.

It’s hard to forget the past if we’re stubbornly holding on to our merits or achievements. The Bible teaches all of us, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” (James 5:16, NIV) 

So, friend, would you take this step with me today? Would you ask the Holy Spirit to reveal anything in your life that needs to change? Then pray, “I’m sorry. Please forgive me.”

You deserve a better 2022 because you are a miracle!