Key Takeaway
The enemy spends a lot of time trying to get our attention to remain in the past and stay stuck there, but with Jesus, we can release and repent of our past. He has given us community to help us face our past and they face theirs and move forward with Him through His word.
For some of us, we’ve let the past take the mic. Something happened long ago that still echoes louder than anything else in our lives, keeping us stuck in a moment we can’t move past.
Lean in, there's hope here: God is doing a new thing. He has a plan, and it’s already in motion (and He wants to do it with you).
Look at Scripture:
Isaiah 43:18-19 reminds us not to dwell on former things, because God is doing something new.
Isaiah 43:16-17 reflects on God’s story with His people—a story of love, rebellion, exile, and redemption. The book of Isaiah was written right in the middle of God’s story with His people, showing that He is faithful and makes all things new. He doesn’t want us to forget our past, but He does want us to stop letting it define us.
Ignoring your past risks ruining your future.
Jesus demonstrated this with Zacchaeus. He went to his house, and that encounter changed Zacchaeus’ life. He faced his past, repaid what he had taken, and went forward transformed. Jesus doesn’t erase consequences or wipe away the story—He steps into it, guiding us through the hard truths so that our lives can change for the better.
The same was true with the Samaritan woman; He confronted her past, and her life was completely renewed for her good and His glory.
How do you deal with your past in a healthy way?
With Christ and in Christ.
Isaiah 43:19-20 says He makes streams in the wasteland. The pathway God is talking about is now known as a person—Jesus. He steps into our lives and changes everything about us.
Colossians 3:3 reminds us that the old you has died; your new identity is hidden in Christ and enveloped by God. You can acknowledge your past without being defined by it, because the nail-scarred hands of Jesus guide you to release, repent, and move forward.
With community.
You can’t work through your past in isolation. God Himself exists in community: the Father, Son, and Spirit. Colossians 3:1-4,16 reminds us that our new identity is lived out in community. We dwell in the Word, use it as a mirror, exchange godly wisdom, and cultivate hearts of worship and gratitude. Our songs of freedom, deliverance, and faithfulness point others to the same path. Community keeps you grounded in God’s plan and moving forward.
None of us can change the past, and the enemy’s voice about it is unproductive. Take the hand of Jesus and trust that when He says He makes all things new, He means you.
Discussion Questions
Based on the verses you have already read, how can we be sure that God does make all things new?
According to Colossians 3:3, what has happened to the old you? What is your new identity?
1. Read Isaiah 43:18-19. What are the major verbs that God uses to tell us what to do? What is God doing in Isaiah 43:16-17?
3. Why is it so important to deal with your past with Christ and others?
5. Read Colossians 3:16. What role does the Word play in our relationships with others? What is it used for? What does it do to our hearts?
