Make Peace with your Past

I know that I’m not alone in having regrets about my past. There are so many things I would’ve done differently if only I had known the tremendous impact on my future. Yet, I can’t go back and change what I did or didn’t do in the past.

The painful reality for many of us is that we are still living with the consequences of past decisions. Even though we’ve learned to live with it—every now and then there’s that sting in our memory when we could’ve made better choices.

However, God doesn’t want us to live in the past. He wants us to leave the past behind and move forward in His plan for our lives. For many of us this means that we need to make peace with our past mistakes and failures so we can be used of God in the future. How do we make PEACE with our past?

P – Pray for God’s forgiveness and intervention.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

E – Expect God to be with you to deal with the consequences
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

A – Ask forgiveness of those you have offended or deceived.
“So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23-24)

C – Change our mindset to learn and grow from the lessons of our past.
“Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God.” (Romans 6:1)

E – Entrust our destiny to God for a better future and hope.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Prayer

Dear Lord, I surrender my past to You knowing that there may be consequences. However, I ask for Your strength to do what is right moving forward. In Jesus’ name, amen.

In His Service,

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