Yesterday Instead Of Today

Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 43:18–19 esv

Sometimes we live in the past. The past can be full of joyful memories: the birth of a child or grandchild, a graduation, a wedding, making the sports team. But memories can also bring up sad and difficult times. Thinking about the past is not bad if we use what we learned in those experiences to help us grow. However, when we dwell on the past, we can wallow in negative emotions that leave us unable to enjoy the present.

When we ruminate, we overthink a life event, refusing to let go. We fret about what we could have done differently or fixate on wrongs and injustices. But continuing to rehearse a negative scenario in our minds without any resolution could be contributing to our symptoms of depression.

God knows the suffering and distress we experience in the world (John 16:33). But he wants us to live free of our hurts. He reminds us to bring everything to him and warns us not to take revenge. In fact, he tells us to love our enemies (Luke 6:27–28). This is the part where many of us ask God, “How? Why should I?” God gives us these commands because he knows what hanging on to past hurts can do to our body, mind, and soul. Instead, acknowledge what happened, feel the pain, correct any negative self-talk, and offer the past to God. When we move out of the past and into the present, we begin to experience a new joy.

Often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us.

Helen Keller

Insisting on living in your past will kill your future. Let it go.

Tony Evans

You can’t have a better tomorrow if you’re thinking about yesterday.

Charles Kettering

For Further Reflection

Philippians 3:13; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:31–32

Today’s Prayer

Father, there is so much from my past that I struggle to let go of. When those memories come up, help me to stop replaying them and instead give them to you. Please heal me from my past and lead me on the path to joy. Amen