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.

I am guilty of at times dwelling on the past. At times I think about things I wish I would’ve done differently; sins I feel bad about. Other times, I think of the past and it makes me feel bad by the way others sins have affected me. Then, I am reminded of God’s grace and the lessons in which I have learned, the person that I am becoming. I also have to remind myself, just as I cannot change the people who have hurt me through their sin, that I also cannot change the past. The only thing I can do is forgive others and myself and grow from it all. For as we grow in our faith, we can truly see God working in our hearts and paving a way for a better future. That does not mean that things will always be easy and that myself or others wont mistakes; although when I walk with God, I know that I am growing deeper in my faith. There is joy in that. I know that if I keep God close to me every day on this journey of life, I can better see the path in which He is taking me on. Though if I keep looking back, I cannot move forward to everything God has in store for my life both now and in my future. Friend, may we keep our eyes forward on Him. May we forgive what was and focus on what He has planned! For a heart that stays in the past, will remain stagnant in the things in which were hard. Though a heart that looks to God, can see a path paved in hope. May we walk forward in faith and not backward in what we cannot change.

Erin Fitts-Brower