Be Good At Forgetting

You may think it strange that I would encourage you to forget, but let me explain. I’m not suggesting you forget things like the last place you saw your car keys, or the name of the person in the cubicle next to you at work, or the passcode to unlock your online accounts. I’m talking about forgetting those mistakes and failures that are holding you back—that are hindering your spiritual growth and maturity. How much effort are you putting into forgetting past mistakes? Are you hanging onto them and allowing them to keep you from prospering and living victoriously?

In a letter he wrote to the Church at Philippi, Apostle Paul said, “This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14). What was behind Paul? He blazed a trail of persecuting those who followed Christ. Once He had an encounter with Jesus and was transformed, Paul put his past behind him, and became a chief spokesman for Jesus. He was not willing to let anything stop him from fulfilling God’s purpose, not even the terrible things from his past. Dwelling on your past, and the mistakes you’ve made, will keep you from living the blessed life God has planned and prepared for you. Learn how to enjoy the present goodness of God, as you expect a brighter future, and forget your dark past.