Is it Wise to Look Back on Our Past?

 

I’m not one to dwell on my past.  So regardless of what society says and does, the idea of looking back over the past year just doesn’t resonate with my spirit.  And here’s why.

I’m a sinner.  A vile one at that.

I’m lazy.  Selfish.  Prideful.  Impatient towards others.  And a host of other shortcomings.

So, when I look back over my shoulder to how my life was this past year, you know what will happen to me?

I’ll become discouraged because I didn’t measure up.  Now I don’t mean measuring up to someone else’s standards, either.  What I’m referring to is measuring up to my own.

I’ll have the tendency to listen to all of the lies from the Enemy of how I wasn’t Christ-like enough.  Gracious enough.  Compassionate enough.  Loving enough, etc.

So, I just don’t play the game of ‘Looking Back’, because I’m not interested in living in the Land of Regret.  (A wise woman once told me that when we regret our choices and decisions in our lives, that’s what grace is for.  I love that!)

Now, I realize from a planner’s perspective, that looking back over one’s year can be a great tool to make the next year even better.  I get that!  The goal-oriented gal in me really struggles with this approach that I’m taking in my life, but, a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do in order to protect her spiritual well-being!

Please know I’m not here to tell you whether you should look back or not.  I’m simply here to tell you that it’s not always what’s spiritually best.

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.  Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  Phil. 3:12-14

And if my mind should wander back into last year, I’ll be intentional about training it to think on the good things, not the tears, or broken dreams.  I’ll stretch my mind to live in the Light rather than dwell on the darkness that I’ve experienced because God’s will for my life is what’s best.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things.  Phil. 4:8

Live a poured out life for Christ,

Jolene