Forget the Former Things: How to Truly Leave Your Past Behind and Walk as a New Creation
Do you ever feel like your past is a heavy backpack you just can’t seem to take off? Maybe it’s a mistake you made years ago, a season of trauma that left you feeling shattered, or a cycle of addiction that keeps trying to pull you back in. You love Jesus, and you want to move forward, but your mind keeps drifting back to "the way things were" or the pain of what was lost.
At Grace in the Breaking, we see this every day. So many of us are striving to prove our worth or fix our past, when God is actually calling us to something much simpler and much more powerful: surrender.
True freedom doesn’t come from trying harder to be better; it comes from realizing that in Christ, the old version of you is gone. You aren’t just a "fixed-up" version of your old self. You are a brand-new creation.
Forget the Former Things
In the book of Isaiah, God gives His people a very clear command:
"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? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." (Isaiah 43:18-19)
Notice that God says, "Do not dwell." Dwelling is an act of the will. It’s when we choose to sit in our past hurts, rehearse old arguments, or identify ourselves by our previous failures. When we dwell on the past, we become blind to the "new thing" God is doing right in front of us.
If you are stuck in a "wasteland" season, know that God is already at work creating streams. But to drink from those streams, you have to turn your head away from the desert behind you and look at the path He is opening up ahead.
You Are a New Creation
Many of us struggle to leave the past behind because we haven’t fully grasped our new identity. We think we are "sinners saved by grace" who are still defined by our mess. But look at what the Word of God says:
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (2 Corinthians 5:17)
When you surrendered your life to Jesus, a spiritual exchange took place. He took your old nature, your old guilt, and your old cycles, and He gave you His righteousness. The "old" is not just hidden; it is gone. In God’s eyes, the person you were before Christ: or even the person you were before you repented: no longer exists.
Walking as a new creation means refusing to answer to your old name. When the enemy tries to remind you of who you used to be, you must stand on the truth of who God says you are now. You are chosen, you are redeemed, and you are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live differently.
The Son Sets You Free
Perhaps the most beautiful promise for those of us who have felt trapped by unhealthy cycles or trauma responses is found in the words of Jesus Himself: "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36).
This isn’t just a surface-level encouragement. It is a spiritual reality. Real deliverance happens when we stop trying to break the chains ourselves and instead look to the One who already shattered them at the cross.
Freedom is not the absence of the past; it is the absence of the past’s power over you. You might still remember what happened, but it no longer has the power to dictate your mood, your worth, or your future.
Practical Steps to Stop Looking Back
Leaving the past behind is a daily choice. Here are a few biblically grounded ways to keep your eyes on the "new thing" God is doing:
- Renew Your Mind: Your brain has "grooves" from years of old thinking. You must intentionally replace those thoughts with Scripture. When a past regret pops up, speak 2 Corinthians 5:17 out loud.
- Identify the Triggers: What makes you look back? Is it certain people, environments, or even social media? Guard your heart by limiting your exposure to things that pull you back into old identities.
- Practice Active Surrender: Every morning, lay your past at the feet of Jesus. Tell Him, "Lord, I thank You that the old is gone. I choose to walk in the newness of life today."
- Seek Accountability: We weren't meant to do this alone. Whether through 1:1 coaching or a faith-based community, having others to remind you of your true identity is vital.
You are not a prisoner of your history. You are a pioneer of your future in Christ. The Son has set you free, and today is the day to start walking in that truth.
Note: Our deep-dive teaching posts are available every Monday morning to help you start your week focused on the Word.
Daily Bread: A Weekly Prayer Guide
Use these prayers each day this week to help you leave the former things behind and embrace your new identity in Christ.
Monday: Letting Go of Regret
Lord, I thank You that Your mercies are new every morning. Today, I specifically hand over [name a specific regret] to You. I believe that in Christ, this is part of the 'old' that has passed away. Help me to stop dwelling on it and start looking for the new thing You are doing. Amen.
Tuesday: Embracing New Identity
Father, help me to see myself the way You see me. I am a new creation. I am not defined by my past mistakes or the things that were done to me. I am Your child. Strengthen my heart to walk in the dignity and purpose You have given me. Amen.
Wednesday: Breaking Unhealthy Cycles
Lord Jesus, You said that if the Son sets me free, I am free indeed. I claim that freedom today over every cycle of [addiction/anxiety/self-sabotage]. I break agreement with the lies of the enemy and choose to walk in obedience to Your Spirit. Amen.
Thursday: Healing from Trauma
Holy Spirit, I ask for Your deep healing in the places where I have been broken. I refuse to be a victim of my past. I ask for the 'oil of joy instead of mourning' and the 'garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.' Restore my soul as I look to You. Amen.
Friday: Renewing the Mind
Lord, I commit to renewing my mind with Your Word today. Wash away the old thought patterns that tell me I’m not enough or that I’ll never change. Replace them with Your truth. Let Your Word be a lamp to my feet as I move forward. Amen.
Saturday: Forgiving Others (and Myself)
Father, I choose to release [name] from the debt I feel they owe me for the pain they caused. I also choose to forgive myself, knowing that You have already forgiven me. I refuse to look back at old wounds today. I am moving forward in peace. Amen.
Sunday: Walking in Purpose
Lord, as I worship You today, I celebrate the new life I have in You. Thank You for making a way in my wilderness. I press on toward the goal of the prize for which You have called me heavenward. My past is behind me; my future is in Your hands. Amen.
Deepen Your Journey
If you are ready to stop striving and start walking in the real healing and deliverance that only Jesus can provide, we invite you to explore these resources:
- The Prodigal Series: Whether you are a prodigal coming home or praying one back, this series provides the biblical tools you need for restoration.
- Rise Up Mastermind: Designed specifically for corporate women transitioning into their Kingdom calling. This includes your Purpose Roadmap, weekly coaching, and access to our private Telegram sisterhood. Seats are limited: enroll at the Teachable checkout to secure your spot.
- Inner Access Community: Get the consistent support you need with weekly calls, masterclasses, and our signature 12-week breakthrough course. Join the community here.
Elizabeth Everett Harper, CEO & Founder of Grace in the Breaking.