“Don’t over-think. Just let it go.”

I recently read those words on Instagram, and they instantly grabbed ahold of me. They caused me to examine my heart, and to ask myself these questions: Have I really let go of the past? Have I completely forgiven and chosen to love those who have persecuted me and sinned against me? Have I fully allowed the Lord to heal my heart? Are my scars reminding me of the One who rescued me? And, am I actually pressing onward to become more like Christ with each new sunrise?

Or am I lying still, dwelling on the past? Am I holding onto hurt? Am I looking back at the me I used to be—a me who only wanted what I wanted, and not what God wanted for me?

To me, letting go of past hurts is an everyday experience that requires continual action. I can’t forgive my enemies on Tuesday and be mad at them again for the very same sin on Wednesday.  I have to let it go. Press on. Fight for righteousness. I have to remember the Matthew 18 command to forgive “seven times seventy” times, and I have to remember that the Lord used my trials to make me more like his Son.

I remember once waking up from a dream where I was presented with a choice: I could either press on in my relationship with Christ, or I could turn my back and relapse into my old way of living hopelessly and without truly knowing my Savior.

But the dream had a beautiful ending. I ended up making the right choice, and then I proudly proclaimed,“This is an obedience to God.” And even though it was only a dream, it was a great encouragement to me. It gave me hope that I really can stand up in REAL life and make the same choice. And that choice must happen every single day that God breathes life into my lungs.

This reminds me of the story of Lot and his family in Genesis 19, and how God rescued them from being destroyed along with all of Sodom. Do you know the story? If you do, you probably remember that Lot and his family were given the command to not look back. But Lot’s wife looked back, and she was turned into a pillar of salt.

 “But Lot’s wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.” {Genesis 19:26}

As I read that, I couldn’t help but be reminded of my own two choices. Today, I need to choose obedience to God. Just like Lot and his wife, God has rescued me. And I could turn around, look back and give up everything He has done for me. But I won’t, because I have been given two very important commandments to pursue:

“And [Jesus] said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” {Matthew 22:37-39}

So, how does that apply here? It means that I WILL continue to love my neighbors and even forgive the ones who hurt me. And I WILL love the Lord with my whole heart, seeking after His will for my life, even if it means dying to myself each day. And my feelings, which often tell me otherwise, must not have a say here.

I will not turn around. I will not look back.

blog about hope Christianity don't overthink don't turn around Faith forgiveness Hope letting go of the past lot's wife matthew 18: matthew 22 pillar of salt Seven times seventy Trials