However, there are two steps!
Paul, the apostle, wrote about his need to do just one thing to reach his ultimate goal. “…but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us (Philippians 3:11-15).”
However, Paul’s “one thing” included two steps. Read on.
One Thing. Two Steps
The past was a problem for Paul. He experienced a lot of suffering through others once he converted to Christianity. He also had memories of the criminal acts he committed against other Christians before his conversion.
He would do one thing to fix the problem of his past. However, he broke his one solution down into two steps. As you read on, think about what one thing you will do to move forward in your walk with God.
1. Forgetting the past,
“If you want to forget something or someone, never hate it, or never hate him/her. Everything and everyone that you hate is engraved upon your heart.” C. JoyBell C. You will never forget until you forgive. By praying daily for forgiveness, you will eventually experience supernatural healing from your past (Matthew 6:9-15, Mark 11:25, Luke 17:3-4).
There are many Bible lessons on forgiveness. Explore them. Meditate on them. You will soon begin to feel freedom from your injurious past.
Some of you have experienced horrendous offenses against you. If this process of forgiveness gets too difficulty, don’t hesitate get help from your clergy or a mental health professional.
2. Looking forward to what lies ahead,
Your greatest goal in life is to please God. Paul, the great apostle, challenged the Christians at Corinth to stop focusing on things that are seen, but to fix their eyes on what is not seen (2 Corinthians 4:18)
When you are blinded by the activities of others around you, God’s plan for your life remains unclear(Jeremiah 29:11).
Press on to Receive the Prize.
Like Paul, you’ve made a decision to forget the past and focus on what’s ahead. Follow Paul’s example to move forward and upward in your heavenly calling. Here’s how:
- First, ask yourself, “What is one thing I must do in order to move forward?” Most likely, you already know the answer. If not, pray about it until you’re sure.
- Next, try breaking down your “one thing” into smaller steps to reach your goal. For example: “I will pray each morning before breakfast.” “I will mind my own business today.” Set your goals for one week, then one month, and so on.
- Finally, pleasing God must always be your goal. Persevere. Stay in the race. Keep moving forward until you cross the finish line into Heaven!
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Great post! I really like the idea of pressing forward & forgetting the past by thinking about what is the one thing I need to do to move forward & breaking down that one thing. This post is very motivating!!
Thank you Glori. Love you.
This is a really hard thing to do. I kno my past make me who I am today… an I’m really disappointed I’m the me I am. The last time I went to church, it was the church my mother went to before she past away, I was with my god mother. This was almost 10 years ago, the choir sang this song about ur ladder being better or something like that. I broke down in there so hard, because in my heart I knew that that wasn’t true for me. I’ve been tryna do better now, but that means jus going along. If I try pushing through the wall, it falls on me. I’m at the place that ive fallen down, an rather then get back up, I’d jus rather dig a hole. I know things that I need to do… I jus feel if I try to better myself I’ll lost what matters most, and that led me to seriously consider suicide. On another note… do u remember that time I asked u guys y u didn’t put ur rice crispy treats in the oven? Lolol!!! I love you.
Thankyou so much for sharing this, take a step into the future , forget the past by forgiving. I need to forgive myself so I can forget and move on
Thank you Kordula. Praying that you will find the forgiveness that God has already given to you.
Thank you Selma this is wonderful. So much has happen to me since last year and that is what I’m doing is still reaching for the small steps that lead to victory and thank God in the process and some things have been challenging but I trusting the Lord every day.
Thank you for sharing this Donna. Many of us can draw strength from your testimony of victory.