Do not let the hurt from your past or the fear of your future, stop you from appreciating the blessings of the now. Often, we are tied down to times that no longer exist or a time that has not happened yet. Whether it is mistakes that we have made from our own past or mistakes others have put upon us in our past. Losing sight that when we ask Jesus to take our sins away, that those sins are no longer a part of us. Rehashing them will only bring back something that has already been forgiven and tossed away; delaying us from who we can become. Or maybe the past where we live, is where others have hurt us. Forgetting that as we were forgiven, we must offer the same grace. For forgiveness is what allows us to move forward. It is not intended that we remain stagnant in a place of hurt, that God so eagerly longs to replace with His love. Maybe hope of the future is replaced with fear of the unknown. Remember friend, we are instructed to take one day at a time and many times we are told to trust in God. If we stay connected to Him, we can trust him with the tomorrows, while thanking Him for the today. Friend, if there is something in the way stopping you from becoming who God has called you to be; call on Him. I do not know your highs and lows; I do not know your fear or sorrows. I do not know the things you have had to endure or the things you worry about for your future. What I do know though, is the best way to move forward, is not to move backward. That thinking too far ahead about earthly things, can make you miss what’s right in front of you. If you must think ahead, keep it on God’s promises. Most importantly, I know that if we live in the moment with God beside us, we will have peace for our past, hope and trust for our future and gratitude for the moment, we call the present. Friend, life is a series of moments, much better lived with God. For He does know our past, our present and our future. So, as you journey in this life my friend, are you taking Him along?

Erin Fitts-Brower

2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!

Psalms 103:12 NIV

as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Matthew 6:14-15 NIV

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

Matthew 6:34 NIV

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Philippians 3:13-14 NIV

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken ahold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Psalms 26:3 NIV

For I have been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.