No Turning Back

But Lot’s wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.

Genesis 19:26

Lot and his family were shown great mercy by the Lord. He sent two angels to guide them out of Sodom and Gomorrah so that they could live. There was only one instruction—don’t look back. Lot may have been running ahead of his wife and she paused to look back. As a result, she was turned to a pillar of salt. What made Lot’s wife look back? Perhaps she was thinking of other friends who were still in the city. Maybe it was just plain curiosity. Whatever the reason, the brief look back cost her life.

The Lord wants each of us to turn our backs on fear, worry, and regret. All three of these are joy-snatchers and keep us from moving forward in the faith. We could be having a wonderful day and something negative or fearful comes to our minds. Before we know it, we are no longer filled with love, joy, or peace. Instead anxiety, worry and regret begin to take over our thoughts. We can pray God’s to keep us from looking back:

Lord, make me brave. (2 Timothy 1:7)
Being afraid and fearful isn’t God’s will for our lives. Fear involves torment and we can speak God’s word as the sword of the Spirit to make us brave.

Lord, keep me calm. (Philippians 4:6-8)
As children of God, we don’t have to worry about anything. Anxiety makes our Christian walk unfruitful; yet, we are called to demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit.

Lord, help me move forward. (Philippians 3:13-14)
God wants us to live in the here and now, not the past. We can’t go back and change things from our past; however, we can learn from our mistakes and grow in faith.