You Can’t Go Back
"Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:13-14
We’ve all been there. You make a mistake, and the first thing you want is a “do-over,” to go back and undo whatever went wrong. You replay the situation over and over in your mind, thinking of all the ways you could’ve done things differently. But no matter how much we wish for it, we can’t go back in time. There are no rewinds in life.
As hard as that truth might be to swallow, it’s actually freeing once you accept it. You can’t change what you did, but you “can” change who you become. Dwelling on past mistakes won’t move you forward but learning from them will. The key is to stop focusing on what you “should” have done and start focusing on what you “can” do now.
The Bible encourages us to forget what lies behind and press on toward the future. That doesn’t mean pretending our mistakes didn’t happen. It means refusing to let them define us. It’s about taking responsibility, repenting, and then allowing God to transform us through those moments. When you choose to turn your attention away from regret and towards growth, you open yourself up to becoming the person God has called you to be.
Instead of living in the land of “I shoulda, coulda, woulda,” take a different approach. Repent, seek forgiveness from God, and commit to learning from your mistakes. Use it as fuel to push you toward becoming more like Christ. You can’t change the past, but you can change your future by deciding not to repeat the same errors.
God doesn’t want you stuck in a cycle of guilt or regret. He wants you to grow, to move forward, and to trust that He can use even your worst moments to shape you into something better. Mistakes are inevitable, but they don’t have to hold you back. Learn from them, lean into God’s grace, and press on to the life He has planned for you.
We’ve all been there. You make a mistake, and the first thing you want is a “do-over,” to go back and undo whatever went wrong. You replay the situation over and over in your mind, thinking of all the ways you could’ve done things differently. But no matter how much we wish for it, we can’t go back in time. There are no rewinds in life.
As hard as that truth might be to swallow, it’s actually freeing once you accept it. You can’t change what you did, but you “can” change who you become. Dwelling on past mistakes won’t move you forward but learning from them will. The key is to stop focusing on what you “should” have done and start focusing on what you “can” do now.
The Bible encourages us to forget what lies behind and press on toward the future. That doesn’t mean pretending our mistakes didn’t happen. It means refusing to let them define us. It’s about taking responsibility, repenting, and then allowing God to transform us through those moments. When you choose to turn your attention away from regret and towards growth, you open yourself up to becoming the person God has called you to be.
Instead of living in the land of “I shoulda, coulda, woulda,” take a different approach. Repent, seek forgiveness from God, and commit to learning from your mistakes. Use it as fuel to push you toward becoming more like Christ. You can’t change the past, but you can change your future by deciding not to repeat the same errors.
God doesn’t want you stuck in a cycle of guilt or regret. He wants you to grow, to move forward, and to trust that He can use even your worst moments to shape you into something better. Mistakes are inevitable, but they don’t have to hold you back. Learn from them, lean into God’s grace, and press on to the life He has planned for you.
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2 Comments
Dearest Pastor Ed,
nPowerful and impactful Devotional!
nThank you for always being faithful to the Word of God and leading us in truth.
nSending love to you and your precious family on this glorious and beautiful day the Lord has made.
n
I really like this reading. Maurice did an excellent job this weekend. Even my step son who we almost have had to force to go to church enjoyed the service. I made a lot of mistakes in my life. Without fail I have found God placing people in my life where that experience turns into an asset to help them through their own struggles. God is blessing you there on your trip. I’m sure of it.