Pressing Forward: Letting Go of the Past and Trusting Christ Is Enough
“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
— Philippians 3:13–14 (NIV)
There are parts of my story that are heavy—painful experiences I don’t enjoy revisiting. Abuse. Trauma. Betrayal. Yet when I met Jesus, I didn’t feel the need to go back and relive those memories in order to be healed. I just knew I was held, and I was made new.
I’ve often wrestled with modern teachings that say we need to revisit every wound, every memory, even our family’s sins in order to be free. I’ve seen ministries lead people into moments where they’re encouraged to speak with demons, name them, and dig into past generations to find what “gave them access.”
We live in a culture obsessed with fixing ourselves—constantly looking inward for healing instead of looking upward to the Great Physician. Sometimes, we can get caught in cycles of trying to understand and control our pain instead of resting in the finished work of Christ. But Scripture invites us to lay the past down and press forward, trusting that Jesus is enough.
I don’t want to discredit anyone’s personal experience—God meets us in many ways, and sometimes what feels like breakthrough can bring real emotional relief. But we also need to remember that emotional relief doesn’t always mean something is rooted in truth. Just because something feels freeing doesn’t mean it aligns with Scripture.
As followers of Christ, we are called to test everything against the Word of God, not just our experiences.
“But test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:21–22 (ESV)
And when I look at the Word, I see that true and lasting freedom is not found by revisiting the past—but by abiding in Christ and trusting in the complete work He has already done. When I read Philippians 3, I hear Paul—a man with a dark past—say, “One thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead...” He doesn’t say, “I go back and revisit every part of my past so I can be healed.” He says he lets it go because he’s been taken hold of by Christ.
That doesn’t mean we never grieve or acknowledge what’s happened. Healing sometimes involves tears, counseling, and trusted prayer. But what Paul models—and what I’ve come to believe—is that true healing isn’t found by going deeper into the past; it’s found by going deeper into Christ.
What Does Scripture Say?
Jesus did ask a demon its name once (Mark 5:9), but that wasn’t His usual way of delivering people. More often, He simply rebuked demons and told them to be silent.
“But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be silent and come out of him!’ And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him.”
— Mark 1:25–26 (ESV)
He didn’t entertain their voices. He silenced them. That’s the authority we walk in—not one that needs to negotiate with darkness, but one that rests in the finished work of the cross.
Christ Is Enough
If you’re a child of God, your past no longer defines you. Your pain, your trauma, your family history—even your own mistakes—have no power to separate you from the love of Christ.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
— 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Freedom is not something we earn by digging. It’s something we receive by faith. And sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is simply say,
“Jesus, I trust You. I believe You’ve made me new, and I will walk forward with You.”
A Gentle Prayer
Jesus, You know every part of my past. You see what I’ve walked through—and You’re not afraid of any of it. But You’ve also promised that I’m a new creation. Today, I choose to stop looking back and start pressing forward. I don’t need to understand everything that happened—I just need to know You’re with me now. Help me walk in truth, healing, and the freedom You already won for me. In Your name I pray, amen.
I don’t share this from a place of knowing it all—I share it as someone who’s still learning to trust Jesus with my whole story. If you’ve been told that you need to relive your past to be free, I just want to gently remind you: you don’t. He is enough.
A Note From My Heart
I want to thank you sincerely for taking the time to read this devotional and walk with me on this journey. Sharing these reflections is a deep joy and calling for me, but like many creators and ministers, I’m navigating a season of transition after recently losing my main source of income.
If you feel led and are able to support my work, please know it would mean more than words can say. But please also know there is absolutely no pressure or expectation—your encouragement and prayers are just as valuable and deeply appreciated.
Thank you for being here and for letting me share what God is teaching me.
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