Look in front of you!

'In the past you were dead because you sinned and fought against God.  You followed the ways of this world and obeyed the devil.  He rules the world, and his spirit has power over everyone who doesn't obey God.  Once we were also ruled by the selfish desires of our bodies and minds.  We had made God angry, and we were going to be punished like everyone else.  But God was merciful!  We were dead because of our sins, but God loved us so much that he made us alive with Christ, and God's wonderful kindness is what saves you.  God raised us from death to life with Christ Jesus, and he has given us a place beside Christ in heaven. God did this so that in the future world he could show how truly good and kind he is to us because of what Christ Jesus has done.  You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve.  This is God's gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own.  It isn't something you have earned, so there is nothing you can boast about.  God planned for us to live.  That's why he sent Christ to make us what we are.'  Ephesians 2:1-10


'But forget the former things it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.  For I am about to do something new.  See, I have already begun!  Do you not see it?'  Isaiah 43:18

Dwelling on the past is destructive.  It keeps your focus on things you can no longer change and off of what God is doing right before your eyes.

We all dwell on the past at some point, but what the above verses state is:  what's done is done.  Forget it.  You can't change it.  Look to the future, God has so much planned for you, and you're going to miss out on it because you're looking behind you, and not in front.  If we keep looking behind us whilst we're walking, we will trip up and hurt ourselves.  Didn't your mother ever teach you to look where you're going when you walk, because of that very reason?!  Oh, and to not walk with your hands in your pockets - but that'd be because you'd be better off with a broken wrist than a broken face/jaw if you tripped up!

We sang this in Church today - I think it fits well:
And this is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on it's way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand

So whilst it's hard, look forward to the promises God has for you in the future.  Trust in Him, Rest in Him, His Grace is sufficient for you.