4 Tips on How to Move on from Past Mistakes

Are you stuck living in the past? Do you feel like your past mistakes are limiting your future?

Everyone has done things they're not proud of. Maybe it was something at work. Perhaps it was in your family. Or you hold a secret from your past that no one knows.

Regardless of what is hanging you up from your past, it doesn't have to limit your future. Your past matters, but it doesn't determine your future. How so? Read these four steps about moving on from the past.

First, Understand what "Past" Means

Pastor David Iglesias gave two definitions of the word "past" during his September 1, 2024 sermon: "Past means previous, former, long ago, prior… it means no longer existing."

You have a past. It's filled with moments of healing and hurt, good and bad memories, successes and failures.

But no matter what happened, it is over. It's gone. Yet, you may see yourself as a sum of your mistakes and failures from your past. And that leads to the second point.

Second, Know that Your Past Does Not Define You

"Many of us allow our past to define us, believing that we're the sum of all our mistakes," Pastor David said. "So we sit paralyzed, stuck in the mess and struggling underneath the crushing weight of the past and how it prevents us from experiencing joy and victory and freedom in Jesus and hope for tomorrow."

But guess what?

YOUR PAST DOES NOT DEFINE YOU!

Say that again, out loud. "My past does not define me."

Pastor David mentioned that whatever you let define yourself is what you take personal meaning from.

"When we're defined by our past is that we allow those things from our past, our mistakes, failures, addiction, sin, brokenness, rejections, to cross the boundary lines of our person and to invade our identity," he said. "You're not the addict, unlovable, hopeless, abused, neglected, rejected, worthless failure that your past or other people have labeled you."

The Dangers of Focusing on Your Past

Imagine you're driving. You have a large windshield in front of you, so you can clearly see what's coming. But instead of focusing on that, you only look in the rearview mirror. You only look at the much smaller, more narrow reflection. What would happen eventually? You would get in an accident.

Focusing on your past is like that. You are able to live in the present and set your sights on what is ahead. But instead you only look at your limited view of what's happened.

God has Forgiven You, so You Must Forgive Yourself

The main reason your past does not define you is that, through Jesus' perfect life, death, resurrection, and ascension, God has forgiven you. Jesus did what was necessary so that you aren't defined by your sins, your past mistakes, your regrets. Through Jesus, you are forgiven.

Yet, sometimes, people think they can't forgive themselves. This says to God, "I know you've forgiven me and all, but my standards for myself are higher than yours. I can't forgive myself."

And that is ridiculous.

You can only forgive yourself when you accept God's forgiveness of you. And when you do that, you can begin your new life in and through Jesus Christ.

Third, Live a New Life in Christ

What does it mean to "live a new life in Christ?" If you've been around church for a while you have probably heard that phrase or something like it. It can be confusing, but Paul offers some clarity.

"The word 'forgetting' that Paul used here means 'to dismiss from the mind or pay no attention to it,'" Pastor David shared. "He doesn't mean that you'll literally forget it. But he's saying, 'Stop dwelling on it.'"

To live your new life in Christ, you must pay no mind to the past. Paul was able to do it, and he was a murderer. There are many stories in the Bible of those with dark pasts, and they have beautiful stories of new life through God.

Redemption Stories in the Bible

Fourth, Embrace God's Purpose for Your Life

"God can use your past, all of it," Pastor David said. "Powerful things happen when you quit holding onto your past and surrender it to Jesus."

When you do that, you'll find your purpose. And when you embrace God's purpose for your life, he'll use your past in three beautiful ways.

1. Minister to Others

Your trials, troubles, mistakes, and Jesus Story are exactly what someone else may need. Your past can be used by God to minister to others who desperately need him.

"Whatever your past, whatever you've done, whatever you've lived through, God wants to use you to minister to others," said Pastor David. "God wants to use those things so that you can comfort other people."

2. Model for Others

You can minister and comfort others as they go through tough times. You can also show them how you transition from your old self into your new, Christ-filled self.

"We need people to model what it means to be a true follower of Jesus," Pastor David said.

Your past can be a model for someone to look to as they start a new journey in Christ. You can help them begin their relationship with Christ with more confidence and more zeal than you did. Then, they can do the same to someone else.

3. Glorify God

God can – and will – use your past and redeem it for his glory. He doesn't want you to hide it. He doesn't want you to focus on it. He doesn't want you to live with regret about it.

"God doesn't want you to hide your past. He doesn't want you to pretend that it never happened," Pastor David said. "He wants you to share with others what God has done for you and that he has set you free."

Your story is meant to glorify God. And that leads to an abundant, fulfilling life that is spent with the Creator of life.

Find Freedom from Your Past by Knowing Jesus

There is only one way to find freedom from your past: make Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior. Believe that he is the Son of God. Believe that he lived a sinless life, died on the cross, rose from the grave three days later, and ascended into heaven.

Take a step of faith today and stop living in the chains of your past. Stop letting it define who you are. You do not have to be defined by them any longer.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I've sinned against you.

I confess my sins to you. I ask your forgiveness. I believe you died on the cross for my sins and that you rose again from the dead. I receive your forgiveness, knowing that your blood cleanses me from all sin. I'm totally forgiven by you.

I confess you now as my Lord and savior, the savior of my past, the Lord of my present, the Lord of my future. Come into my heart, transform my mind. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. I'm not the person I was. I'm a new creation.

Thank you for changing me, Jesus. In Jesus' name, Amen!