“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.” Isaiah 43:18
I was enjoying dinner with a friend the other evening and they apologized for not acknowledging my birthday a couple of months ago. I was quick to tell them it was fine because I wanted to forget it too. They went on to say that their mother had said the same and wondered why.
After a few moments I said, “Because once you are my age, you realize that there is a lot more time behind you, than in front of you. You realize that some things you want to do are no longer possible.”
It is a sobering realization.
My grandmother once told me that worse part of getting old wasn’t the aches or pains but the regrets. She went on to say that it wasn’t just what you have done but also the missed opportunities.
I think about that a lot here lately.
Dwelling on the “what ifs” and past sins is a waste of time and energy. You cannot do anything about past decisions, you can only affect what you do now. I find myself stuck in the past beating myself up for not doing this or saying that when there was an opportunity. I get down on myself and before I know it that is all I am focusing on: the past. When you focus on the past you miss out on the present.
It is like sitting at a red light staring in the rear-view window and missing the green light.
God can and will use you up until your last breath. However, if you are looking back, you will not be able to see the opportunities, He has for you. We spend a lot of time and energy on the past that cannot be changed. We kick ourselves around and condemn ourselves repeatedly on things that God has forgiven. If God can forgive you then you can forgive yourself too. Or are you doubting the power of Jesus’ sacrifice? In essence when you dwell on past sins and allow them to be blinders and stumbling blocks for you, you are doubting that Jesus’ sacrifice is strong enough to cover you.
Maybe there are people in your life that won’t forgive you. Are you saying that their unforgiveness is stronger than God’s forgiveness? Their inability or unwillingness to forgive you is their problem and not yours. If you have humbled yourself before God and asked for His forgiveness with a truly repentance heart, then you are forgiven. Whether or not someone else forgives you is now between them and God.
When you dwell on past sins, you are showing others that you don’t believe that God’s grace is enough to cover you. What does that say to potential Christians? What does it say to someone that is so caught up in pain and depression over their situation? They are looking for hope and freedom and you exhibit none of these when you deny the power of Jesus.
If you have accepted Jesus and asked him for forgiveness with a repentant heart, you are forgiven and you need to be living as such. Accept the forgiveness. Bring it into your heart and release the guilt. You cannot be a beacon for others, a role model, or a mentor if you are so busy looking back and holding on to sins that are forgiven. That goes for people in your life that refuse to forgive. Let it go. God will deal with their heart.
Do not allow unforgiveness to keep you from serving God and helping others.
Typist for Jesus.
Mustard Seeds, Modern Parables 
wow!! 63Overcoming Distractions: Prioritize Your Relationship with God
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