Proverbs 4:25 Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.
Fix your gaze directly before you. In other words, don’t look back. We can’t undo the past, reel in the words we let escape, undo the bad decisions or their lasting effects. No. Not possible.
What we can do is live a redeemed life. Christ died so you could live (John 3:16). So live!
We can mourn our yesterdays, but what does that do but feed today’s disappointment. Let’s not live there. Instead, let’s learn from our yesterdays while we live today and hope for tomorrow (Rom 15:13). Take it from someone who is working hard to stay unstuck from the past. I’m coaching myself here. Release is the key to moving forward.
Psalm 55:22a Pile your troubles on God’s shoulders – He’ll carry your load, he’ll help you out. (MSG)
Releasing whatever IT is won’t get easier until you start doing it. Getting and staying in the bible helps. Go ahead, relax your grip, open your hand, and give it to Jesus. You can do it in His strength (Phil 4:13). You may have to do it every day, or several times a day for a while, but keep doing it. Sooner or later it won’t be there, or you just won’t see because you’ll be looking forward.
Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my steps; it lights the path before me. (The Voice)
Be careful in your thinking (Prov 4:23). When you hear the coulda-woulda-shoulda tapes start replaying the enemy would like nothing better than for you to keep listening. Hit the eject button! You have the power (2 Tim 1:7). Turn it off. Then toss it out the window. Just don’t trip over it later. It’s gone, no do-overs, only forward.
Here’s the thing, we all have only so much time here so why waste it in the way back machine? Fix your gaze directly before you, one step at a time. There’s a path that the Lord has planned just for you (Prov. 4:26). Now go.
Psalm 90:12 Teach us how short our life is, so that we may become wise. (GNT)
What makes you keep looking back? Why is it so hard to release? Go ahead, start practicing.
Relax your grip.
Open your hand.
Give it to Jesus.
It takes prayer and practice, but you can do it (Phil 4:13).
It is possible.
This post is part of the Five Minute Friday blog link-up! Each week Kate Motaung provides a one-word writing prompt for participants to free write for five minutes flat and share their work with the online community. This week’s prompt is BACK.
Picture by Boram Kim at Upsplash
Well said Suzette
I’m just trying to stay unstuck. Thanks for visiting.
I so agree with you though today I wrote that we should look back to see what we have learned to pay it forward.
Agreed! Yes, let’s learn and share, just not dwell. I appreciate your insight. Thanks for stopping by.
Don’t look back is such an important reminder! I’m your neighbor at FMF this week.
I remind myself every day. Thanks for visiting, Tara.
Amen!
Thanks for visiting.
…and Amen! Thanks for visiting.
Hey friend! Sorry I never responded to your email about Breathe…I won’t be able to attend this year. Good to see you posting here- I know how hard it can be to stop living in the past and coulda-woulda-shoulda land! I’m #2 in the link up this week.
Hi Amy! Don’t think I’ll make Breathe this year either:-(
Thanks for stopping by, it’s great to hear from you. Your website looks fantastic!
Amy, Had trouble leaving a comment on your new post, but I want you to know that So glad to see you’re writing again. This is a great return from where you left off. I really enjoyed reading the piece and look forward to more.
Amy, Had trouble leaving a comment on your new post, but I want you to know that I’m so glad to see you’re writing again. This is a great return from where you left off. I really enjoyed reading the piece and look forward to more.
Yep. Darn right.
Y’all inspired a sonnet.
If you look back, over the shoulder
doing eighty on the interstate,
you’ll find you won’t get much older,
and will meet spectacular fate.
The stuff that is behind you
doesn’t need examination;
it’s already part of all you do,
and it colours contemplation.
Just let it go, it won’t be lost
(though it might be better so!);
writing it off won’t change the cost
of where you’ve yet to go.
Just give it to God, and wave goodbye,
drop the weight, and learn to fly.
#1 at FMF this week.
https://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2019/08/your-dying-spouse-665-lost-and-found-fmf.html
Hi Andrew, Thanks so much for the lovely response. Yes, I’m learning to give it to God, wave goodbye in my rearview mirror, and leave it there knowing I can’t undo what is already part of me. Only move forward in Christ.
I’m so thankful for the encouraging tone of your writing. You’re so easy to identify with, and I love the reminder to keep giving the past to Jesus, as we walk forward with him. Thanks so much for sharing!
I’m so glad you stopped by. Yes, giving the past to Jesus is sometimes a challenge, but only done in Christ’s strength. Thanks for your encouragement.