Encouragement

Stepping Stones to the Future

by Theresa Vogel Millward
09/21/17
Free to Share

  Message Writer
  Hire Writer

Tweet

How many times have you looked back on your life and had regrets about something that happened? I know I have numerous times. Some of the events were my own doing, and some were out of my control. I would think, I wish I could have changed that. Or if I made a different decision that situation wouldn’t have happened.

The past is done. Sometimes we dwell in it too much. We can’t change the past, but we can learn from it. Learning from former mistakes can help us make better future decisions. They can be stepping stones to the future.

The Bible has something to say about regrets and the past. We are not to dwell on them. We are to move forward to the future.

Here are 12 powerful verses from God’s Word that encourages moving from the past, and to look what lies ahead in our lives.

“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,” Philippians 3:13.

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun,” 2 Corinthians 5:17.

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you,” Ephesians 4:31-32.

“I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again,” Isaiah 43:25.

“But we must hold on to the progress we have already made,” Philippians 3:16.

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago,” Ephesians 2:10.

“Don’t let anyone capture you empty philosophies and high sounding nonsense that comes from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ,” Colossians 2:8.

“And I am certain that God, that began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns,” Philippians 1:6.

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid,” John 14:27.

“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him,” Philippians 2:13.

“How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver,” Proverbs 16:16.

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think,” Ephesians 3:20.

We should not let the past hold us back. We can learn from our previous experiences and move forward in confidence trusting that God has better things for our future.