Looking Forward

By: Len Stubbs

Looking Forward
By Len Stubbs
Certified Christian Coach
Real Path Coaching

How many of us occasionally find ourselves trapped looking to our past as opposed to looking to our future? How many of us find safety living in the glory of past accomplishments as opposed to looking forward to our next great achievement? How many of us find it comfortable reflecting on the past, in order that we might avoid the challenges and uncertainty of the future?
Secular society constantly affirms and wants us to accept a false premise that the overriding influence in our life and our future is our past. We are taught that it is acceptable if we make a habit of using excuses and blaming others for our failures. If you came from a difficult home life and your life is a mess, it was that earlier time that determined the negative direction of your life today. If your culture was treated unfairly, any future failure in your life can be written off as a direct result of that unfair treatment. If you were hurt, abused or if your youth was spent in rebellion, it is understandable if the remainder of your life is spent struggling with your past.
The result of all this preoccupation with the past is that at times we feel so worn out, beat up, and stressed out that we are not certain if we can take another step forward. The world is preoccupied with the past because it faces an uncertain future.
Christians on the other hand, live in freedom because at Calvary and through the New Covenant, Christ overcame our past. The "old things" have been done away with and "new things” have come (2 Cor. 5:17). God has so totally forgiven the Christians sin that He chooses not to remember it (Isa.43: 25).

Christians do not forget the past. They learn valuable lessons from the past. But because of their personal relationship with God they do not allow themselves to be controlled or motivated by their past. For Christians their past is forgotten and has been paid for by the blood of our savior. Christians always strive to acknowledge and take responsibility for their own present day actions. Christians look to the future with hope, dreams, and aspirations.

Here is what the Lord has to say about Looking Forward in His word.

(1) In Philippians 3:13 - No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not yet achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.
(2) In Ephesians 5:15-17 – “Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.”
(3) In Isaiah 40:31- “ But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like Eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”
(4) In Philippians 2:14-16 – “Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.”
(5) In Romans 8:28 – “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
So in the end, how exactly do you plan your life so that your focus is to always push forward and live in the present? Here are Four (4) tips that I think you may find helpful.

Four (4) tips to Look Forward  
1. Focus on the Goal – By definition Goals are ahead of us, are to be attained. Focus on the present, push forward and both success and happiness will be yours.
2.Let it Go - Move from the past and on to the future. The reality is that if we make a habit of using excuses and blaming others for our failures we will never reach a point of responsibility, liberation, and growth.
3.New Strength-  God's purpose for our lives requires a power beyond our human capabilities. Our Lord promises to renew our strength and enable us to enjoy the abundant life He intends for each of us.
4.Sharpen Your Focus On Jesus – Seek a constant personal relationship with your heavenly Father. With committed, trusting friends, associates, accountability partners and family at our sides, learn how to be free from the past, handle the day-to-day pressures in the present and move forward to the future God has planned.
Secular society focuses on what they are overcoming. Christians focus on what they are becoming. Christians know that the Holy Spirit is conforming them into the image of Christ. Christians know that eventually every injustice will be addressed and every hurt comforted. The Christian's future is so full, rich and exciting that it overwhelms whatever may have happened in the past.

If you are preoccupied with your past, ask God to open your eyes to the incredible future that awaits you and continually push forward to what the Lord has planned for your life.

As a final thought on this subject I would like to suggest that you continually seek to grow closer to Christ, always seek to continue growing as a person, pushing ourselves to more fully reflect Christ in our words, deeds, and lives. The point here is not that we should forget our past, but rather that we should not dwell in it. Living in the past Inevitably means that we stop growing and learning. For success and happiness push forward.
Let me help you to learn how to effectively Look Forward. Contact me on the web at realpathcoaching.com: email me at mailto:rplcoaching@gmail.comor better yet call me at 843 589-9236

Article Source: http://www.articles.narrowisthepath.com

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