Sometimes, it's hard to let go of the past...things that have happened so long ago, we should've already let them go. People may have hurt, disappointed, or let you down. It's easy to hold a grudge, even against someone you love. Anger can get the best of anyone. Forgiveness can be a tough pill to swallow, especially when the hurt was intentional. Even unintentional wounds cut deep. Instead of allowing those cuts to fester and become worse, it would be better to leave it all behind. That's easier said than done. So, how can we leave the past where it belongs...in the past?
Forgive quickly: Instead of allowing the hurt to build up for days, months, or years, release the pain before it swallows you whole. No matter what it takes, forgive. If you don't, you're hurting yourself more than the person who inflicted the wound. Un-forgiveness is a steep path to walk down. Don't allow the bitterness to creep in and take root. Recognize the problem before it grows out of control. Anger toward a person who has done you wrong will get you nowhere. Make a conscious decision to forgive and practice long-suffering.
Forgive often: The Lord told his disciples not to forgive only seven times, but seventy times seven.
*Matthew 18:21-22* Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, "I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven."
Although someone may hurt your feelings more than one time, that's not a good reason to withhold forgiveness. Forgiving once is not enough.
Love the wrongdoer: Instead of allowing the hatred to build up in your heart, pray that God will help you forgive as well as love the person who hurt you. Whether you have to go to that person and confess your anger toward them, or just pray it through, forgive in love. Then you need to search your heart daily so that old wound doesn't resurface. Keep the victory in your soul. If Jesus has forgiven you for every sin you've ever committed, how much more should you forgive others? God doesn't hold your past mistakes over your head to remind you of the wrong you did against Him. He made a choice to forgive you. Leave the past where it belongs, and become more like Christ: Choose forgiveness.
*Matthew 5:43-44* Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you.
*Ephesians 4:31-32* Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Here's a poem I wrote to go along with this topic:
You'll never get anywhere living in yesterday
You won't go very far holding on to past mistakes
Leave the past where it belongs
It's time for a new page
Can't go back to where you came
Leave it all behind; there's a better way
The past can't hold you down
When victory's calling out
Now it's time for a blank page
It's a new day
Time to start over
It's all erased