Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Philippians 3:13-14 (NLT)
If you’re unhappy, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have past issues to resolve. Thinking that you have to delve into every past hurt and trauma is one trap many people fall into on the quest for happiness.
There are times when we need to resolve issues from the past. Things may have happened to you that you need to work through, but you don’t necessarily need to dig through your past to find joy.
You see, it can be tempting to assume that every unsettling feeling is the sign of some deeper problem. The trouble with this kind of thinking is that you’ll go into fix-it mode. You’ll look for problems, and you’ll always find problems if you look hard enough.
It’s a touchy subject, and everyone deals with trauma differently, but through a process, you can put the past behind you. Our verse today says we are to press on toward the mark for the prize of the high calling.
God has a purpose for your life, and when you get focused on that calling and on what God’s Word says, you can live with passion and stay focused on the future. It’s amazing what happens next. Even if past events brought great pain, you can experience joy. You can love life and have great relationships. I’m not saying the process is always easy, but your past does not need to determine your future.
Remember to stay focused on the solution. Study God’s Word so it can build strength and a lasting joy on the inside of you.