Go Back to Go Forward
Debra Fileta
To move forward , we have to first go backward . I know that may not be the typical message you hear in Sunday school . Many times , we want to do a quick brush over the past and focus on the present and the future .
The apostle Paul wrote , “ 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 ” ( Philippians 3:13-14 ). We often misinterpret this to mean that you should literally “ forget ” your past . Forget the trauma , forget the pain , forget the hurts , forget the abuse , forget the betrayal , forget the abandonment , forget it all .
But please hear me on this : That ’ s not what Paul is advising ! Paul wasn ’ t talking about forgetting his past struggles ; he was talking about forgetting his past victories . He wasn ’ t talking about forgetting his past pain ; he was talking about forgetting his pride and his boasting in his accomplishments . Just a few verses earlier , he listed all the things he could boast in — all his victories and accomplishments : his accolades , statuses , and successes . What he ’ s trying to say here is that his past identities are nothing compared to his identity in Christ !
Don ’ t take this verse out of context and use it as an excuse to avoid looking back . To avoid grieving . To avoiding healing . Friend , let me remind you of a powerful reality : You have to deal with your past to be freed from your past ! In fact , there could be some things in your past that are actually keeping you stuck today . Our emotional responses in the present are often rooted in our emotional wounds from the past . If you were to come see me in my office for a counseling session , the first thing I would have you do is tell me about what ’ s going on in the present . What is the key issue that brought you in today ? We would discuss that issue at length and look for immediate solutions and
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