Forgetting What Is Behind

I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Philippians 3:13-14

LEARNING FROM THE PAST, remembering God’s faithfulness—these are good things to do. But dwelling on mistakes we’ve made and living with constant regrets about the past generally has very little value. We can’t change the past, no matter how much we think about it. Regrets tend to diminish our current experience of life and make us afraid of the future.

The apostle Paul had a lot in his past that was regrettable. In 1 Corinthians 15:9-10 he says, “For I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church. But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results.”

What a great perspective!

Paul had persecuted the church. It doesn’t get much worse than that. He could easily have allowed his horrible past to keep him from pursuing God’s call on his life. (Satan would have liked that.) Instead, Paul readily admitted that he was “not even worthy to be called an apostle,” and he didn’t let it bother him. He chose to focus on God’s grace, not on his own failings, and the result was that he lived an incredibly fruitful life for God.

Are you punishing yourself for past mistakes? Technically, we can’t forgive ourselves, because our offenses are against God, but it certainly doesn’t make sense to beat ourselves up for what God has forgiven. By God’s grace, let go of your regrets.

BOTTOM LINE

Holding on to regrets can seem humble, but it doesn’t do anyone any good. It keeps you focused on yourself instead of on God and others.

Moment of Strength: Psalm 103:12