Metaphors such as, “don’t cry over spilled milk” or “you can’t put the milk back in the bottle,” have been used at times to make the point that what has happened has happened. Spending time lamenting over situations and circumstances that are in our past chokes our ability to enjoy our future.
When we continue to talk about relationship loss that happened years ago, we must ask ourselves are we in a stuck place that is not beneficial; and does continuing to rehash it change anything?
When we are no longer with a past employer, but we spend time on our new job, talking about the old job, how much money we made or what position we held or even and how things were done differently, we have to ask ourselves, are we blocking the blessings of our new job?
When we spend time lamenting over our youth wishing that we were younger or thinner or single and free, we must ask ourselves are we missing the enjoyment that our current life can bring at this new age and stage.
There are countless examples of when we spend too much time on things that have long since taken place in our lives, but the truth of the matter is, we are where we are suppose to be. Nothing behind us can be changed. We can learn from our experiences and we can do things differently, but the past is just that, the past.
I have been guilty of lamenting my yesterdays at times, but I quickly remember Philippians 3:13-14 which says, “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.”
Forward, not backward should be our focus. Let us enjoy our lives right where we are. There is much to be done and if we keep turning around looking behind us, we can never see what is in front of us.
Tanya is an inspirational speaker and writer living in Charlotte. You can friend her on Facebook or email her at tw360you@aol.com. Read more by Tanya Wilson:
Lunch With A Friend Exposes How Fear Cripples Us
Charging Ahead Without God Leads To Trouble
