Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past

Isaiah 43:18 NIV
[18] “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.

https://bible.com/bible/111/isa.43.18.NIV

Dwelling on my past has been my downfall too many times and for too long. There are at least two facets of my past that often capture my attention and consume my time; the bad things, and the good things.

The bad things are

1.  my past sins and failures

2. the mistakes I’ve made and all of the things I wish I have done; regrets and the like

3. All of the bad stuff that’s happened to me in the past, stuff that others have done to me through no fault or invitation of my own.

Dwelling on all of this robs me of my inner peace and joy. Instead I’m consumed with bitterness, anger, resentment and grievances.

I must learn to live by grace through faith, which means to extend the same measure of grace, forgiveness and mercy to others regardless of whether or not they are sorry. By faith I believe in Him and the living power of His word in bringing healing to my own soul as I learn to forgive others And forgive myself.

God remembers my sins no more, and I must be ready and willing to do the same for my neighbor (love your neighbor as yourself).

The other facet of dwelling on my past is remembering the good times, when everything was going well and I was experiencing a period of success and good fortune. My family life was good and healthy, my career and finances were great. I had no worries. Life was good. Oh why can’t I go back to those times or experience that same measure of success!

Good and bad times come and go. Our past is our past for a reason.  God desires to move us forward as we trust and obey him.

He wants to do a new thing in us; not just once, but every day as we reach out to Him in faith. Every day is a new day; a chance to start over, or to continue on the path He has laid out for us, as He desires. Life is a journey lived one day, one leg at a time.

We are His workmanship, His masterpiece. Created for good works in Christ, that we might walk in them.

Philippians 3:12-13 NLT
[12] I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. [13] No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,

https://bible.com/bible/116/php.3.12-13.NLT

I focus on this one thing; forgetting the past and pressing onward and forward as He leads me every day and every step of the way.

Runners in a race rarely look behind them. instead they focus on the path in front of them. Looking and focusing  on what or who is behind them can trip them up. Staying the course will serve to ensure they finish their race and win the prize. Every runner is running for the same prize. Run in such a way as to win that prize.