I like to think about trapeze artists. They have to let go of the first bar in order to grasp the oncoming one. If they held onto the first bar while reaching for the second bar, all manner of chaos would ensue.

Trapeze artists are very focused. They have predetermined to let go of the first bar. Once they swing off their platform, their goal is to abandon their bar in order to fully grasp the bar coming towards them in one fluid motion.

The apostle Paul described a similar process. It is an essential prescription for our victorious life. Philippians 3:13-14 says, “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Can you apply Paul’s words for yourself? Last year is now in our past. Even a minute ago is in our past. Everything that has happened is over and done with. We can’t bring it back, nor can we change one moment of it.

Yet, when we bury our emotional pain it goes underground, so to speak, into our subconscious. We tend to keep the past alive through our thoughts. Even though it is no longer on our radar, it continually seeps into our thought processes. It affects our perceptions, what we believe about ourselves, and our actions.

My take away: as I release my past to the Lord, he will empower me to reach my present goals. It is a great perspective. Letting go of the past means that I need to continually renew my mind with the truths of God’s Word.

Father, I am so thankful that you sent your son Jesus to redeem our lives from our painful pasts. Help us to release our buried emotional pain to you. Forgive us for holding onto something that we have no power to change. Thank you that our past is passed and we are new creations through salvation.

Throughout This Day: Seek to remain in the present, conscious of God's love and power at work within you. Let go of any haunting moments from the past, thanking God that all is forgiven and transformed by his redeeming love.



Tags: Daily Devotional Philippians 3
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