Inspiring moments: reaching forward

Meditation, NKJV: Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.

Memories and constant thoughts of past hurts, mistakes, disappointments and circumstances come to flood the minds of the wounded, broken and scarred.

They go from day to day trying to move forward and to enjoy what’s ahead, but it’s that one thing, few things or perhaps many things that come to remind and torment them of what happened, how they felt, who knows, and how messed up it was.

Lot’s wife is an example of what can happen when we look back when God is taking us to a new place and doing a new thing in our lives. 

In Genesis 19 it tells us the story of Sodom and Gomorrah and the lesson of Lot’s wife looking back. 

Sodom and Gomorrah was a place of wickedness. An angel had urged Lot to get his wife and daughters and to leave because of the destruction that was about to happen. 

Who wants to stay in a place of destruction? Many times we may act like that, because we refuse to move on. 

Dwelling in the past will keep one in a place of destruction. The person will allow it to tangle them in destructive attitudes and behaviour.

When moving forward there will be things that will try to discourage, distract and pull us back. 

Thank God that through Him we already have the victory! 

Romans 8:37: Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

How sad it is to get stuck, hindered and destroyed when a new place is waiting for us. 

Are you looking back? Are you struggling to move forward? 

Author Mary Manin Morrissey says: “Even though you may want to move forward in your life, you may have one foot on the brakes. 

“In order to be free, we must learn how to let go. Release the hurt. Release the fear. Refuse to entertain your old pain. 

“The energy it takes to hang onto the past is holding you back from a new life. What is it you would let go of today?”

As we know it will not always be smooth and easy in life. 

We can ask ourselves this question. Why turn back on the One that will never turn back on us? 

Jesus says in Luke 9:62: “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” (ESV)

I believe everyone who is moving forward or at least making an effort to is faced with things trying to pull them back. 

We have to make the choice to step forward or to step backwards. I certainly have areas that need work on and I’m on a journey as well.

How do we move forward? We move forward by reaching forward. 

Praying and seeking God on what He would have us to do. 

Setting goals that are in line with God’s purpose for our lives and taking action under His guidance. 

What are you holding on to?

Prayer:

Dear heavenly Father, sometimes things that happen in my life try to pull me back and hinder me from moving forward. 

I release my hurt to you. Help me to keep my focus on you when I’m tempted to dwell on the past. 

In Jesus’ Name, Amen! 

Connect with Crystal on: www.crystalholdipp.com