1406) One of my unhealthy tendencies is to spend too much time in the past. Do I think there is much to be discovered and learned from things gone by? Of course, but when it crosses the line is when this focus is not helpful. One such example is when I beat myself up for a decision I made and keep visiting it so I can continue to pass judgment on myself. This is not useful because learning from this event is no longer happening. Instead, judgment, which God does not exact on me, covers up a lesson learned.

This is why Philippians 3:13 makes so much sense. Paul tells us to forget what is behind (us). This forgetting is tied into dwelling on our failures. Choosing to do this is not just punishing ourselves (especially when we’ve asked God to forgive us) but it also keeps us from focusing on where we’re going. We become less usable for God’s purposes.

Look behind when it’s useful, but driving while watching the rearview mirror is a poor way to travel forward.