Week 5 – Living In The Past
February 3, 2024

Change The Channel Of
“Living In The Past”

Two Categories Of Living In The Past
Our Successes
Our Failures

People Who Had To Conquer Their Past
Adam and Eve
Noah
Abraham
Moses
David
Woman At The Well
Mary Magdalene
Peter
Apostle Paul

Mental Struggles And Strongholds
You Wish You Could Press Rewind And Redo Portions Of Your Life
You Struggle With Major Regrets Of Your Past
You Live In The “Wish I Would Have,” “Wish I Could Have” World

You Feel Like Your Best Days Are Behind You
You Replay Past Memories Like A Movie
You Feel Ashamed and Embarrassed About Your Past

Negative Effects Of Dwelling In Your Past
Distracts You From The Present
Doesn’t Solve Anything
Clouds Your Thinking By Blinding You To Your Future
Interferes With Your Ability To Prepare For The Future

Leads To Depression
It’s Bad For Your Health
2013 Study by University of Ohio Shows Greater Risk of Disease, Cancer and Dementia
Enables A “Grass Is Greener” Mentality

We Will Never Embrace Our Future While Holding On To Our Past

Why Do We Dwell On Our Past?

“Self-Condemnation”
The Root of Living In The Past
Lingering Guilt
Lingering Shame
Lingering Anger

When We Focus On What We’ve Done, More Than What He’s Done,
We Make An Idol Out Of Our Past

1. Practice Self-forgiveness

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:1-2

If God Forgave Me, I Forgive Me
The Cut – I Forgive
The Scab – I Am Forgiving
The Scar – I Am Forgiven

IMPORTANT!!!!!
GOD KNOWS YOU ARE NOT PERFECT!!!!

2. Focus On Lessons Learned, Not Mistakes Made

No, dear brothers, I am still not all I should be, but I am bringing all my energies to bear on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God is calling us up to heaven because of what Christ Jesus did for us.
Philippians 3:13-14 TLB

You Never Really Fail If You Learn From Your Past

3. Focus On The Facts, Not The Fairy Tale

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.
Philippians 4:8

4. Establish Goals For The Future
Give Yourself Something Else To Think About

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2

We do not heal the past by dwelling there; we heal the past by living fully in the present.