10th Sept - How to Let Go of the Past and Move Forward

Here’s the truth: successful people don’t live in the past.

Think about driving. You can glance in the rearview mirror, but if you try to move forward staring at it, you’ll crash. Life kinda works the same way. You can’t step into the future God has for you if you keep replaying old mistakes, disappointments, regrets, or seasons that are already over.

The Bible reminds us: “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” - Isaiah 43:19 (ESV) God is always moving us forward. But I've discovered that you can’t embrace the new if your hands are still holding onto the old.

Terri Savelle Foy puts it like this: “Don’t park at the place of your pain.” Staying there only keeps you stuck - thinking of the old you, instead of reaching for the person you’re becoming.

Others have said it too:

• “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” - Eleanor Roosevelt

• “Don’t be defined by your past. It was a lesson, not a life sentence.” - Karen Salmansohn

• “There are no failures, just lessons.” - Dayle Kinney

  
  

Forgiveness is often the key that unlocks your future. And here’s the thing - forgiveness doesn’t make them right, it makes you free. Free to step into a new season with vision, motivation, and hope.

So stop rehearsing the past. Replace it with a picture of your future. Write it down. Make it plain. And start running toward it, step by step.

Action Steps

1. Write your vision – Take a few minutes this week to picture your future. What do you want it to look like? Write it down so you can see it clearly.

2. Release what holds you – Let go of one regret, hurt, or season that’s been keeping you stuck.

3. Practice forgiveness – Choose to forgive and hand it over to Jesus. Say this: “Forgiveness doesn’t make them right, it makes me free.”

4. Focus forward – Each morning, picture the future you’re building - not the past you’ve left behind.

   
   

Think and Say

“I don’t drive forward by looking back. I release the past, forgive freely, and move toward the future Jesus has for me.”

Bible Verses

• “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” - Isaiah 43:19 (ESV)

  
  

• “And then God answered: "Write this. Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run.” - Habakkuk 2:2 (The Message)

  
  

• “Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on…”  - Philippians 3:13–14 (NLT)

  
  

• "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." - John 10:10 (ESV)

  
  

Prayer

Lord, thank You that my past doesn’t define me. I choose to forgive, release regret and disappointment, and step into the new thing You are doing.Please fill me with a vision for the future and courage to keep moving forward. In Jesus' name Amen.

✨ You can’t embrace your future if you’re still holding onto the past. Let go, look ahead, and run toward the life Jesus has for you. (John 10:10 AMP)