The Cost of Looking Back

Issue 018

Don’t you just love hindsight? Oh boy, the mistakes I have made…if only I had… Sound familiar?

I know personally that looking back to the past has kept me stuck. Regretting decisions made and hanging onto those mistakes, allowing the regret to seep in, this was like an anchor that held me and I couldn’t move forward. It impacts your mind, your relationships and your walk with God. You are paralysed.

The good news is, it doesn’t have to stay this way.

I have been reading Luke and came across Luke 9:62 which says, “No one putting his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

At face value this seems a bit harsh, however, I think what it does is highlight how costly looking back can be.

So, what does Luke 9:62 really mean? Think about it, if you have your hand to the plow, first you are moving forward. Imagine doing this, but then you look back, which means you will more than likely go off course, and it will also impact your moving forwards because your attention is divided. This is what this verse is saying, looking back divides your attention and pulls you off course, away from the life God has called you to.

Let’s take a look at another example of looking back. Lot’s wife - looking back cost her everything. Genesis 19:26 says, "But Lot's wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt." We can only surmise what she was thinking, whether she was regretting leaving or thinking about what she was losing, we don’t know, but what we can take from this is the seriousness of looking back. It destroyed her. And Jesus refers to Lot’s wife in Luke 17:32 where He gives a warning against clinging to the old life.

If you are constantly dwelling on the past, focused on past mistakes, failures, the if only’s or on what you’ve lost, it will be very difficult to move forward.

Ecclesiastes 7:10 says, "Don't say, 'Why were the former days better than these?' For you do not ask wisely about this.” This warns about longing for a past time that was good. Oh, how well we do this. And the problem with it is the memory can be deceptive and often distorts the reality of that moment. I remember for a while, I would think about a past relationship ... if only…if only I had done this…if only we were together now…and yes, I glamorised it. My heart was tied to the past; I was allowing it to impact my present until I chose to let it go and move on.

Glamorising the past makes you dissatisfied with the present and it can create bitterness or resentment. It isn’t wrong to remember times from the past but looking back and longing for that time, so you can escape your now, this is when it can become damaging.

When we remain anchored to the past, it can hinder our growth and our willingness to follow where God leads. And we give the enemy a foothold. Ephesians 4:27 says, "…and don't give place to the devil." Regret that sits with you can easily become an open door that the enemy may use to accuse you or remind you of your failures. The enemy wants us looking back at what we did or had; the Father wants us to look at what He is doing and all that He has for us, despite our mistakes.

Philippians 3:13-14 says, “...forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

These verses give us clues as to how we can move on from looking back.

Let go of what is behind you: “Forgetting the things which are behind…” Bring your regrets, disappointments, past relationships and hand it all over to God. Make a choice to let go of the emotional ties of the past. Yes, you can learn from them, but don’t allow them to determine your direction or keep a hold on you. Ask God for His forgiveness for holding onto these things and place them all in His hands and let go. You may also need to forgive yourself!

Put your focus on Him: “…stretching forward to the things which are before…” Go to your Father and spend time with Him. Ask Him about your future, where He wants to take you. Spend time in His word and in prayer and allow His truth to shape your thoughts and give you a vision for the future. Be aware of your mind habits. If you have a habit of constantly looking back and regretting - when you catch yourself doing it, interrupt that thought, speak God’s word, thank Him for your now and focus on where you are going.

Take a step forward: “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” To move forward, take a deliberate action especially when the past has a hold on you. Choose one specific action you can take and ask God for His help as you take that step forward. And do it the next day as well, and then the next.

You may not feel it now, but you have a high calling on your life (no matter your age). God doesn’t hold your mistakes against you. He loves you deeply and cares about you, your heart and your future.

As you begin to move forward in Him, know that the God who makes a way in the wilderness has already gone ahead of you and will walk with you every step of the way as you trust Him.

Joshua 1:9 "Haven't I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don't be afraid. Don't be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

Psalm 42:11 "Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him, the saving help of my countenance, and my God."

2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new."

1 Peter 5:7 "…casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you."

Romans 8:1 "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don't walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."

Seek Him first in all things and let your life shine His glory.

Blessings ❤️ Amanda

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…" Matthew 6:33

Part of Seek First Collective