If you are going to be all that God has called you to be, you are going to have to let go of the shame of the past. God’s plans for you aren’t limited by your past. In fact, He often uses our brokenness to create something beautiful. So, trust Him. Lean into His promises. And keep your eyes fixed on the path ahead. Your past may have shaped you, but it doesn’t define you. The people who try to box you in or remind you of who you used to be have no say in where you’re going. Only God does. So walk boldly into your future, knowing that you are forgiven, loved, and destined for greatness. Leave the past behind; it’s already covered by grace. From here on out, it’s only forward movement!
Moving forward requires two (2) things:
- Letting go of guilt – Every time you think you don’t deserve God's blessing and favor, forgive yourself and thank God that He continues to shine His face upon you and be gracious to you. You can’t carry the weight of your past and still walk freely into your future. Give it to God. That discouragement, shame, guilt, hurt, pain, etc., from the past, give it over to God. Let Him handle the things you can’t change. His grace is more than enough to cover your shortcomings.
- Silencing the naysayers – Some people will never let go of who you were before you got saved because it’s easier for them to hold onto the past than to acknowledge your growth and transformation. Their opinion doesn’t define you, but God’s purpose for your life does. Don’t misconstrue people’s opinions for God’s purpose for your life. What He has in store for you is always far greater than they can even think or imagine.
When you embrace these truths, you begin to see yourself the way God sees you-through the lens of His love and His grace, and not through the lens of your past mistakes. If you are going to be all that God has called you to be, you are going to have to let go of the shame of the past. Shame can be an invisible chain that keeps you bound to places and even people you’ve long outgrown. To move forward, you must recognize that God has already set you free—free to live, free to dream, and free to walk into your calling.
One of the most beautiful things about God is His ability to redeem even the messiest and most dysfunctional parts of our lives. What others see as a reason to disqualify you, God sees as an opportunity to glorify His name. Think about the story of Paul. Before his transformation, Paul was a man who persecuted Christians. By all human standards, he didn’t “deserve” to become one of the greatest Apostles. But God saw beyond Paul’s past and used him in incredible ways that only He could get the glory for. The same God who redeemed Paul is the same God who is working in your life today. Your past doesn’t disqualify you; it positions you for a testimony that will inspire others.
Declare today: “I am not who I used to be. My past does not define me. God’s plans for my life are bigger than any mistake I’ve made. I am moving forward, boldly and confidently, into the destiny God has prepared for me. I am redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ and my sins are forgiven. By God's grace I am saved, and I am a child of God.” Repeat this declaration daily or write it down where you’ll see it often. Let these words become a part of your mindset, a constant reminder of God’s promises and the freedom you’ve been given. There’s power in speaking life over yourself. When you declare God’s truth over your situation, you’re reminding yourself and anyone who may doubt you that you are walking in the freedom and favor of God. From here on out, it’s only forward. You’ve been through too much, grown too much, and learned too much to ever look back. This is your time to step into the newness of life that God has promised you. Take the lessons you’ve learned from your past and use them to fuel your journey forward.
Every setback was a setup for your comeback. Every mistake was a stepping stone toward the person you’re becoming.
Surround yourself with people who see your potential, not just your past. Find a community that uplifts you, speaks life into you and reminds you of God’s promises. Let go of relationships that keep you stuck in cycles of shame or guilt. Moving forward means trusting that God’s plan for your life is greater than anything you could imagine.
You are free. Free from your past, free from other people’s opinions, and free to step into the future God has for you.