Don’t Look Back: God’s Got Something New for You!

Alright, let’s talk about something that most of us struggle with: looking back. You know what I mean—the "if I could go back in time..." thinking. You’ve probably caught yourself thinking about past mistakes, past relationships, past failures, or even past successes. We all do it, right? But here’s the thing: God says, "Don’t look back!" And there’s a very good reason for that.

I know it’s tempting. It's like when you're driving a car and you just have to glance at that rearview mirror every five seconds. But here’s the problem: You can’t drive forward if you’re always looking behind you. You might miss that beautiful new opportunity God is placing in front of you because you’re stuck staring at that rusty old junk car in your rearview mirror.

The Story of Lot’s Wife: The Ultimate "Don't Look Back" Moment

Let’s start with a classic: Lot’s wife. If you’ve been to Sunday school, you know the story. God told Lot and his family to flee the wicked city of Sodom and not look back (Genesis 19:17). Simple instructions, right? Run for your life. Don’t look back. Seems clear enough. But of course, Lot’s wife decided to ignore God's warning and—you guessed it—look back. What happened? She turned into a pillar of salt. Yikes.

Now, I don't know about you, but if I were Lot's wife, I’d be really mad at myself for turning into a pillar of salt. I mean, imagine the mess. You’d be stuck in a salty situation for eternity. But this story isn’t just about salt; it’s about God telling us not to look back at what’s behind us.

Why Looking Back Can Keep You Stuck in the Past

When God told Lot’s wife not to look back, it wasn’t just about literal gazing at the city. It was about the heart—about not being so attached to your past that you can’t move forward to the great things God has prepared for you.

And that’s what we do, isn’t it? We get so stuck on past regrets, disappointments, or mistakes that we miss the new thing God is trying to do in our lives. God has new blessings waiting for us—fresh opportunities to grow, learn, and thrive—but we can’t receive them if we’re too busy reminiscing about the good ol’ days.

Focusing on the Past Delays God's Blessings

Let’s be honest: We can delay God’s blessings when we keep replaying the negative stuff from the past. If you're constantly thinking, "Well, my last job was awful," or "I’ll never get over that breakup," or "I’ll never be able to do that," you're not leaving room for God to do something new.

Here's a thought: Dwelling on your failures or setbacks doesn’t change anything. It's like sitting in a car with the engine running, but instead of driving forward, you keep pressing the reverse pedal. You’re going nowhere fast. You’re going to burn out your engine without going anywhere.

God doesn’t want you stuck in reverse. He wants you moving forward. He wants you to experience the newness He’s got for you, and it’s impossible to do that if your face is glued to the rearview mirror of your life.

God Doesn't Use Condemnation to Speak to His Children

Here's a big truth bomb for you: God does not speak to His children with condemnation. He doesn’t say, "You really messed that up. Why can’t you just get your act together? Remember when you did that? Shame on you!" No, no, no. That’s not how God works. If that’s the voice you’re hearing, that’s not God. That’s a distraction.

The Bible says in Romans 8:1 that,

"There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

None. Zilch. Nada. God doesn’t keep bringing up your past mistakes like an old, broken record. Instead, He’s like, “I’ve got a brand new album for you, and it’s going to be amazing!”

God is Preparing Something New for You!

I know sometimes it feels easier to just hold onto the past, because it’s familiar. It’s like that old pair of jeans you can’t part with—even though they’re worn out and a little tight. But here’s the truth: God is preparing something new for you that fits just right. It’s like a new wardrobe He’s got waiting for you, but you can’t get it if you’re too busy hanging on to the old stuff that doesn’t fit anymore.

In Isaiah 43:18-19, God says, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?" It’s like God is saying, “Come on, get with the program! I’ve got better things ahead, and I need you to look forward.”

God is a God of new beginnings, not of holding you back in your past. The enemy wants you to stay stuck, trapped in the "what ifs" and the "could've been's," but God is calling you forward to something better.

How to Stop Looking Back and Start Moving Forward

So, how do we stop looking back and start living in the future God has for us?

1. Recognize God’s forgiveness – If you’ve messed up, that’s okay. God has already forgiven you. No need to drag the old baggage around anymore. You’re free to move forward.

2. Live in the present – Take joy in where you are right now. Sure, you might have scars, but those are reminders of God’s grace and healing.

3. Focus on God’s promises – Remind yourself of what God has in store. He’s got plans to prosper you, not harm you.

4. Take action – Step out in faith. Don’t just sit there wishing things were different. God’s ready to do something new, and He’s waiting for you to take that first step.

   
   

Closing Thoughts

Let me leave you with this: God doesn’t want you to stay stuck in the past. Whether it’s past mistakes, disappointments, or even your past successes, God is always doing something new. He’s got a future for you that’s way better than your past. But you’ve got to let go of your old life to grab hold of the new one He’s offering.

So, let’s stop gazing at the rearview mirror and start driving forward into the future He has for us! And just remember: If God is in the driver’s seat, you’re going to end up exactly where you need to be.

Prayer

God, help us to leave the past where it belongs—behind us. We know that You are preparing something new, something better than we could imagine. Forgive us for holding on to old regrets, and give us the courage to step forward into the future You have planned for us. We trust that You will lead us and bless us beyond what we deserve. In Jesus' name, amen!

Now, let’s stop looking back and start living forward!