Thinking too much about our past can really mess up how we’re living in the present and stifle our possibilities for the future.
I’m not saying we should completely wipe out all memories of the past. Reliving good times and successes can bring us joy and boost our confidence. Remembering mistakes and failures can keep us from making the same errors all over again.
We get into trouble when we rehearse the past (especially the negatives) over and over again in our minds. I don’t think it does us any good to dwell on what we could have done differently, how we should have responded, or what we would have done if we could go back and relive those moments.
We did something. We made the best (or worst) choice we could have made at the time. Now we have to live with it and move on.
We remember, but we choose to forget the past so that we can move forward. (If that’s extremely difficult to do, it may help to talk to a professional counselor so you can get unstuck.)
Let’s spend the majority of our time taking advantage of the present so we can look forward to an even better future.
“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.” (Philippians 3:13–14 NIV)
Do you spend way too much time thinking about the past? How can focusing on God help you to live well right now?
I did a short video on this topic tonight over in my “Catch Your Thoughts with Robyn Mulder” Facebook group. Check it out…and if you want to see more videos that might help you catch your thoughts, I invite you to join the group.