I know people keep telling you to leave the past behind and move on. They say things like let go of it and step into your future! Why are you still holding on to the past? And you wish you could scream at them and say “Look! I’m not trying to hold on to the past. In fact I want to move on, I AM trying to move on from it but it won’t let me go.” What am I supposed to do then? I understand because I have been there.

I understand the struggle of trying to let go of a past situation and move on but the situation continues to linger on, attempting to get you stuck and prevent you from stepping into the future God has planned for you. I understand the weariness and anxiety that comes when the situation you are trying to move on from won’t let you go, at least not yet because there are multiple people involved. What do you do then? How do you continue to plan for the future? How do you continue to work towards that future?

I know you probably have heard it before and you are about to hear it again but that is because it is the truth. The truth is that in times like that what we have to do is simply hold on to God. You hold on to the promises He has spoken over you and to the future He has revealed to you. Remember He knows the plans He has for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future (see Jeremiah 29:11).

It is very vital that you do not give up during those times. Keep in mind that the enemy’s plan is to get you to give up and forfeit your inheritance or promise from the LORD. The enemy only comes to kill, still, and destroy (see John 10:10) so he is trying to get you to a place of despair and exhaustion so you can throw in the towel and call it quits. But you must hang on!

And great news! You don’t have to hold on by your own strength. God will supply you with the grace and fortitude to withstand and outlast the enemy; you just have to ask Him for it. Remember Scripture says you have not because you ask not (see James 4:2), and it also urges us to come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help us when we need it the most (see Hebrews 4:16). So go ahead, ask God for grace and power to remain.

What To Do When the Past Won’t Let You Go

1. Praise

   This is the time to praise God even more, like never before. When you praise God, you let that situation that is attempting to keep you in the past know who your God is. He is the one who redeems you from all your past mistakes and situations that just won’t seem to let you go.

   “Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, Who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.” Psalm 103:1-6

2. Pray

   Continue to pray. This doesn’t mean that you don’t believe that God is already working things out. It’s simply a way of communicating with God, letting Him know that you are not giving up but will continue to stand in faith. You don’t have to pray the same prayers of “Lord fix it”, “Lord do this or that” but instead, pray prayers of thanksgiving like “Lord I thank you because I know that You are in control and in due time, You will get me out of the past and thrust me into my future; the future You have promised me.” “I thank You because I know that You are working everything out for my good.”

   “Rejoice always and delight in your faith; be unceasing and persistent in prayer; in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (AMP)

3. Read and meditate on the Word

   This is also the time when you dig even deeper into the Word of God. Read your bible even more than you did before. Remember, you are in a spiritual battle with the enemy who is trying to keep you stuck to the past and your weapon of victory is the Word of God. Even Jesus in the bible defeated satan with the Word of God (see Matthew 4:1-11).

   The Word of God is your weapon. Feast on it! Meditate on it! It will strengthen you and empower you to stand strong in your hope and faith as you wait on the LORD to deliver you from your haunting past. Joshua 1:8 (AMP) tells us that “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall read [and meditate on] it day and night, so that you may be careful to do [everything] in accordance with all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will be successful.”

   We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 (NLT)

One last tip! Don’t forget to surround yourself with like-minded believers that will help you stand in faith and stay encouraged. Don’t be around people who will keep reminding you of the past and trying to take you back there.

You got this! Don’t give up or give in to your past. The future God has for you is more glorious than you could ever imagine. But the only way you can inherit it is if you do not give up and give in to the enemy who is trying to hold you to your past mistakes or pain.

And the next time the enemy tries to remind of your past mistakes, remind him that Jesus has dropped the charges by His blood.

So, until next time, remember, keep your hope in God for He loves you so very much and has promised to never leave you nor forsake you!

Before you rush out of here, checkout our other blog posts that will empower you through revelations, our experiences and ideas, to live a victorious life!