Isaiah 43:18-19

Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV)
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.

There are several verses throughout scripture that address leaving the past behind. But why is moving on from the past so hard? I would say most of the time it has to do with unforgiveness. Unforgiveness towards self, someone else…or both. Other times it has to do with an unwillingness to let go of persons, places or things of the past.
 
This I know. You cannot move forward if you are anchored to the past. Even if those things were good things.

I have heard and/or am aware of many of the reasons we give for unforgiveness and not letting go. Here are some things I’ve learned and been taught along the way:

Hanging on to “unforgiveness”

• The hurt was too deep and they don't deserve forgiveness.
• We are unwilling to forgive because the person keeps doing it.
• The memory of it keeps us from forgiving.
• We withhold forgiveness because we want the person to suffer/pay.
• We want the person to say they're sorry, and ask for forgiveness.
• We are too angry to ever forgive.

Forgiveness is always a gift.  Give people a gift they don’t deserve.
Jesus gave you and me the gift.

Inability to “let go”.  We are all hanging on to something or someone.

• Is it a person, place or thing?
• Does hanging on to it make you a better person or worse?
• Are you hanging on to mistakes you made? Someone else made?
• Are you hanging on to the memories of what could have been...but isn't?

Don’t get me wrong, I recognize that I don’t understand all the reasons for unforgiveness and not letting go. But, after 35 years of counseling people, of this I am sure … you can’t change the past. And the past can mean years ago, one day ago, and/or a minute ago. Either way, holding on to the past prevents you from living today. It hinders and destroys marriages, families, parent-child relationships, churches, ministries, work environments, etc. It is like poison to the soul (mind, will, and emotions).
 
So, I challenge us as we step into 2018. Ask God to give you an attitude of “forgiveness.” Give a gift to someone that doesn’t deserve it. And “let go” of anything you are hanging onto from the past that is preventing you from living in the present. Grab hold of God this year and don’t let go!

His,
Vickie