Leave the Past Behind! Scriptures that Will Help You Look Forward, Not Back

Every day is a new day with God. He calls us to use our pasts to grow closer to him, not hold us back. God is a God of fresh starts, growth, and change. Whether it’s past pains, hurts, experiences, accomplishments, God wants us to look forward to his life and plan for us.

Listen or watch this Scripture Playlist to learn how to let go of our pasts and move forward in faith!

https://youtu.be/EAqCPKn-fk8

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Follow along while you listen:

Philippians 3:12-14 CEV
I have not yet reached my goal, and I am not perfect. But Christ has taken hold of me. So I keep on running and struggling to take hold of the prize. [13] My friends, I don’t feel that I have already arrived. But I forget what is behind, and I struggle for what is ahead. [14] I run toward the goal, so that I can win the prize of being called to heaven. This is the prize that God offers because of what Christ Jesus has done.

Jeremiah 29:11 GW
I know the plans that I have for you, declares the LORD. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope.

Titus 3:7 ERV
We were made right with God by his grace. God saved us so that we could be his children and look forward to receiving life that never ends.

Revelation 21:4 CEV
He will wipe all tears from their eyes, and there will be no more death, suffering, crying, or pain. These things of the past are gone forever.

Isaiah 43:18-19 AMP
“Do not remember the former things, Or ponder the things of the past. [19] Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even put a road in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.

Ephesians 3:20-21 AMP
Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us, [21] to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen.

2 Corinthians 5:17 CEV
Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new.

1 Corinthians 10:13 Voice
Any temptation you face will be nothing new. But God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can handle. But He always provides a way of escape so that you will be able to endure and keep moving forward.

Nehemiah 9:12,16-17 NIrV
By day you led the Israelites with a pillar of cloud. At night you led them with a pillar of fire. It gave them light to show them the way you wanted them to go. [16] “But our people before us became proud and stubborn. They didn’t obey your commands. [17] They refused to listen to you. They forgot the miracles you had done among them. So they became stubborn. When they refused to obey you, they appointed a leader for themselves. They wanted to go back to being slaves in Egypt. But you are a God who forgives. You are gracious. You are tender and kind. You are slow to get angry. You are full of love. So you didn’t desert them.

Habakkuk 2:3 AMP
For the vision is yet for the appointed [future] time It hurries toward the goal [of fulfillment]; it will not fail. Even though it delays, wait [patiently] for it, Because it will certainly come; it will not delay.

Romans 15:4 AMP
For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope and overflow with confidence in His promises.

Hebrews 10:32-39 GW
Remember the past, when you first learned the truth. You endured a lot of hardship and pain. [33] At times you were publicly insulted and mistreated. At times you associated with people who were treated this way. [34] You suffered with prisoners. You were cheerful even though your possessions were stolen, since you know that you have a better and more permanent possession. [35] So don’t lose your confidence. It will bring you a great reward. [36] You need endurance so that after you have done what God wants you to do, you can receive what he has promised. [37] “Yet, the one who is coming will come soon. He will not delay. [38] The person who has God’s approval will live by faith. But if he turns back, I will not be pleased with him.” [39] We don’t belong with those who turn back and are destroyed. Instead, we belong with those who have faith and are saved.

Philippians 1:6 CEV
God is the one who began this good work in you, and I am certain that he won’t stop before it is complete on the day that Christ Jesus returns.

Habakkuk 3:19 AMP
The Lord GOD is my strength [my source of courage, my invincible army]; He has made my feet [steady and sure] like hinds’ feet And makes me walk [forward with spiritual confidence] on my high places [of challenge and responsibility]. For the choir director, on my stringed instruments.

Romans 8:18 NIrV
What we are suffering now is nothing compared with our future glory.

Romans 8:28 Voice
We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NIrV
Our troubles are small. They last only for a short time. But they are earning for us a glory that will last forever. It is greater than all our troubles. [18] So we don’t spend all our time looking at what we can see. Instead, we look at what we can’t see. That’s because what can be seen lasts only a short time. But what can’t be seen will last forever.

Psalm 37:5 NET
Commit your future to the LORD. Trust in him, and he will act on your behalf.

Psalm 73:24 NLT
You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.

Ephesians 2:10 NLT
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.