Letting Go of Your Pastনমুনা

Day 7: Dealing with Your Identity

In heaven, we won’t be known by our past. We’ll be known by our Savior. But here on earth, it’s easy to fall into the habit of identifying ourselves by what we’ve done wrong. If you don’t do that, maybe your family does. Even if they’re believers, they might still bring up what happened years ago, holding your past against you. You walk into a room, and the old story follows. We often wear the label others give us. The one who messed up. The one who always seemed like the black sheep.

If that’s you, let the Lord soften your heart. Let Him show you how to be gracious to those around you, even when it's hard. Be patient with your family. Ask the Lord to help you stop keeping records. Especially when it comes to how you see others. We are not meant to identify ourselves or others by what happened in the past. That’s not how God sees His children.

Heaven gives us a better picture. Rahab isn’t called a harlot there. Thomas isn’t remembered for doubting. Peter isn’t labeled by his denial. Their stories were real, but that is no longer who they are. They’re redeemed. They belong to Jesus.

And so do you. You are not defined by your sin. You are defined by your Savior. In Christ, you are made new. You are already clean because of His Word. You are complete in Him, righteous and holy. You are no longer the same.

Jesus has set you free. You don’t need to live stuck or silenced by your past. Your life can be a light that points to Him. Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven”(Matthew 5:16, NKJV).

So, take time to remember who you are in Christ. Go over the promises of God. Rest in them. If you’re in Christ, that’s your reality, regardless of how you feel today. And even when you forget, God does not. His promises still stand. His faithfulness doesn’t change. You are in Him. And He is holding on to you.

Guided Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am so thankful that You don’t see me as I used to be. Help me not to see myself or others in the light of the past. Rather, I want to embrace the new identity that I have in You. When my thoughts start to drift towards my past, remind me of who I am in You. Jesus, You are enough, and through You, I can forget, forgive, and forsake my past, and grab hold of all that You have for me now. Amen

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We hope this plan was helpful to you. You can read more from Ed Taylor in his book, Letting Go of Your Past, available here.