The Years Behind

The Years Behind

Push past the pain of the years behind you

and know in your heart they do not define you.

Every step you took felt weary and stiff,

trying to stand on "even if."

Looking back isn't always wrong.

Sometimes, looking back makes you strong,

because you suddenly realize how far you've come

and how much God has already done.

All the years behind only lead you to what is before,

so you can walk on to what is still in store.

-Kendra Templeton

My title,"The Years Behind," conveys leaving something unpleasant or unwanted behind-whether it be memories, emotions or people. It could be one year or it could be many that you wish to leave in the past. The picture I chose above is of myself standing with my back to the photographer. Upon first glance, this a typical vacation photo. However, I think this photo is more significant (at least to me) than I initially realized.

My back is to the camera and my face is toward the sunset. In this photo, I believe the background is the focus. As someone else was capturing the picture, I was focusing on what was before me. I was watching the action in the sky unfold. The sunset indicates the end of the day, but it also leads to the sunrise the next morning. A new day. A fresh start. All bound within the sunset. With my face toward the sun and my back to the past, there are things that I can certainly leave behind. Maybe there are things you wish to leave behind as well.

While scrolling through my newsfeed on Facebook and Instagram, I have seen countless posts about how 2018 was "one of the hardest years." I would not disagree with any of you.There are some things that you can't wait to leave behind with the hope of the New Year. This is the time of year when you can finally get a grip on the past and prepare yourself to move forward. 365 new days await you. 365 opportunities for healing. 365 blank slates. 365 chances to leave the past behind. 365 encounters with Jesus. 365 times to witness. 365 unknowns. One year can be full of renewal and healing, but only if you let God work on your heart.

Push past the pain of the year or years behind you. It won't be an easy task, I can assure you. Maybe focusing on all of the bad things that happened is hindering your ability to look forward. Like Lot's wife, sometimes we can't help but look behind us. Although we are more than ready to leave some things behind, others pull at us from the past. If you don't know the fate of Lot's wife, she looked back on the evil city her husband was trying to take her from. As she looked back, she turned into a pillar of salt. Don't allow yourself to stay stuck in the past. Looking back for the purpose of holding on to something will leave you in the same situations and trials you experienced last year. Looking back for the purpose of thanking God for what He has brought you through will help you leave the past behind. Whether it was just this year or many years, the year (s) behind only lead to what is before, so you can walk on to what is still in store. The years behind do not define you. If you make up your mind to follow what God still has for you, then I believe your healing can begin.

Whether you have experienced the loss of a loved one, hurt from those you loved, or physical pain, there is a way that you can leave it all behind. Cast all your cares upon Jesus and He will give you the strength to walk on into the New Year. Allow yourself to heal from past hurts, instead of dwelling on them. Find the good in the midst of a bad situation. Find joy in adversity. Then determine in your heart that you won't go back unless you need to remember where God brought you from last year.

Happy New Year! I pray 2019 will be all that you hoped and more. Let this be the year that your healing begins...