The Rearview Mirror

Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

Luke 9:62

Reflecting on the past can help us make wiser choices in the future; however, living in the past is one way to increase depression, because we are focusing on something we cannot change. We know the past can’t be changed. Yet how many of us meditate on decisions we’ve made, things we’ve said, places we’ve gone? Sometimes when we ruminate, we can feel as though the memory is squeezing the life out of us. In a sense, it is. Instead of paying attention to where we’re going, we’re looking in the rearview mirror at things gone by.

Making peace with the past isn’t easy. We have to express our pain and face the truth as best we can. We might need help to deal with the pain. As we process our memories, our support team can help us stay focused on the present while identifying what is preventing us from moving forward. While we process, we also learn new skills and different ways of silencing the thoughts that condemn us. We can then embrace the present and future with a solid foundation of forgiveness and peace.

The process of working through the past might not be in a straight line. We might think a hurt is resolved, but then something brings up old thoughts and emotions. That’s okay. Acknowledge them, and move on. The goal is to keep moving forward. As we do so, that painful past will grow smaller in comparison to the present and future. God wants us to focus on him and his plans for us. Someone once said there is a reason why the rearview mirror is small and the windshield is so much bigger.

Getting over a painful experience is much like crossing monkey bars. You have to let go at some point in order to move forward.

C. S. Lewis

The beautiful journey of today can only begin when you learn to let go of yesterday.

Steve Maraboli

When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.

Alexander Graham Bell

For Further Reflection

Matthew 6:14; Romans 12:19; Ephesians 4:26–27

Today’s Prayer

Lord, help me to reflect on the past as a reference point to remind where I’ve come from. Please help me to forgive myself and others so I am free to move forward. Amen.