Vital Signs: Wednesday, October 2, 2024

“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, 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 ‭3:13-14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When the Past Isn’t the Past

Paul told the Philippian Church to look ahead and not dwell on the past. However, many of us use this instruction as an excuse to repress and ignore our current feelings. When we experience lingering resentment or bitterness over past pain—whatever it may have been—our past is still creeping into today. Bitterness, grief, or fear from an unresolved or abusive past must be addressed in the present, or it will continue to affect tomorrow.