| Isaiah 43:18-19 – “So don’t remember the things that happened in the beginning. Don’t think about the things that happened a long time ago. Why? Because I will do new things! Now you will grow like a new plant. Surely you know this is true. I really will make a road in the desert. I really will make river in the dry land.” |
It’s not good to live with constant regret and brokenness over ill treatment from others, or over our own past failures. That’s just a desert of misery. We cannot grow if we harbor resentment and anger or remain stuck in the past. Once we’ve forgiven, or been forgiven, those things no longer define us. Jesus died for our sins and removes them from us as far as the east is from the west. He chooses to forget about our sins, and He doesn’t want us dwelling on them!
It can be harmful, as well, for us to remain focused on how things were so much better in the past, ‘the good ole days.’ If you find yourself in either of these situations, begin to focus your thoughts forward in a positive direction. Don’t let any part of your life stop you from growing to be all that the Lord created you to be. Focus forward on where you are going and how you are going to get there, all the while depending on the Lord to help you flourish as promised.
-Vicki Rance
