FORGETTING THE PAST AND PRESSING TOWARD THE FUTURE. PT 1.
BY P. MICHAEL.
Text: Philippians 3:13-14 -
"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but 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."
THE GREATEST ENEMY OF PROGRESS IS OFTEN THE PAST
For a long time, I wondered why Apostle Paul placed such emphasis on forgetting the things that are behind. Today, I understand that one of the greatest factors holding many people back is not their present condition but their attachment to the past.
Many people are imprisoned by memories, hurts, disappointments, betrayals, failures, and losses. They are physically alive but emotionally trapped in yesterday.
The devil knows that he cannot change your past, but he can use your past to destroy your future if you allow him.
WHAT ARE THE THINGS BEHIND?
The things behind may be:
- The people who hurt you.
- The betrayal you suffered.
- The relationship that ended in disappointment.
- The marriage that failed despite your sacrifices.
- The business that collapsed.
- The opportunities you lost.
- The character assassination you endured.
- The loved ones you buried.
- The mistakes and regrets of yesterday.
Many people spend years planning revenge against individuals who may not even be thinking about them.
Others allow bitterness, hatred, and unforgiveness to consume their hearts.
Some were once wealthy but have become trapped in depression because they constantly compare their present reality with their former glory.
Others had their hearts broken and have since surrendered themselves to destructive lifestyles, forgetting that the Bible says:
"Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help." — Psalm 146:3
The enemy's goal is simple: keep your eyes on the past so you never embrace the future God has prepared for you.
THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL: A LESSON IN LOOKING BACK
The children of Israel made the same mistake.
Whenever they encountered hardship in the wilderness, they remembered Egypt.
Instead of focusing on Canaan, they focused on cucumbers.
Instead of embracing God's promises, they longed for their former bondage.
"We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons..." — Numbers 11:5
They forgot that Egypt was a place of slavery and suffering.
Because of their backward mentality, a journey that could have taken a short time stretched into forty years.
Many never entered the Promised Land because they refused to let go of Egypt in their hearts.
A person may leave the past physically yet still remain there mentally.
THE PAST IS A TEACHER, NOT A HOME
God never intended us to live in the past.
The past contains lessons, experiences, warnings, and testimonies.
However, it was never designed to become our permanent residence.
Learn from it.
Grow through it.
But do not build your future around it.
Isaiah 43:18-19 says:
"Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing..."
Notice that God cannot reveal the "new thing" to people who are still obsessed with the "old thing."
A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
Years ago, while living in Ekosodin before marriage and subsequent missionary and political assignments, I witnessed a remarkable display of faith.
A faithful daughter in our fellowship lost both her mother and brother within a short period.
Her faith for their return was unwavering.
Many believers, including myself, joined her in prayer and expectation, believing God for a miracle.
As the years passed, I committed the matter into God's hands and continued pursuing the assignments He had placed before me.
Then one day, God spoke through a dream.
The instruction was clear:
"Tell her to move on. Tell her to bury the dead and embrace the future. She has passed the test of faith."
Out of obedience, I delivered the message.
Unfortunately, the response was not what I expected.
I was blocked, rejected, misunderstood, and treated as though I had become an enemy.
For a moment, I regretted delivering the message.
Yet I later realized an important truth:
Mature believers do not fight the messenger; they seek God concerning the message.
King Hezekiah did not attack Prophet Isaiah when he received a difficult word from the Lord. Instead, he turned to God.
"Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the Lord." — Isaiah 38:2
This experience taught me that many people attend church, but not everyone is truly connected to God.
The storms of life reveal the depth of our relationship with Christ.
WHEN FAITH BECOMES GRIEF
Faith is powerful.
Hope is necessary.
But there comes a time when God says, "Move forward."
Even Jesus stood before Lazarus' tomb and demonstrated that while mourning is natural, endless grieving is not God's will.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 says:
"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven."
There is a time to mourn.
There is a time to heal.
There is a time to remember.
And there is a time to move forward.
PRESS TOWARD THE MARK
Apostle Paul understood something many believers still struggle with.
You cannot move forward while constantly looking backward.
The future belongs to those who are willing to release the past into God's hands.
Stop reliving the betrayal.
Stop worshipping old memories.
Stop rehearsing old wounds.
Stop feeding old bitterness.
Stop allowing yesterday to steal tomorrow.
Your best days are not behind you.
God still has promises to fulfill.
God still has doors to open.
God still has assignments to reveal.
God still has victories ahead.
CONCLUSION
Today, my prayer is for everyone carrying the weight of the past.
May God grant you the grace to forgive.
May God grant you the strength to heal.
May God grant you the wisdom to learn from yesterday without living in it.
May every chain of bitterness, regret, grief, disappointment, and failure be broken in Jesus' Name.
Like Apostle Paul, may we forget those things which are behind and reach forth unto those things which are before.
For the race is not over.
The journey is not finished.
The calling is still alive.
The future is still bright.
And the God who brought you this far is able to lead you into everything He has prepared for you.
Prayer:
"Father, help me to release every burden from my past. Heal every wound, remove every bitterness, and deliver me from every memory that hinders my progress. Give me the grace to focus on Your purpose, Your promises, and the future You have prepared for me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Michael Abu(P.Michael),is a social activist, theologian, policy political/political analyst,from Edo State.
