Our past experiences can have a profound effect on who we are today and our future. It can shape our interactions with people and what we pursue. It can make us vulnerable to the false teachings of others.
In Philippians 3 Paul advocates the value of pursuing faith in Christ Jesus and setting aside the past. He encouraged the Philippians to disregard the unnecessary rituals promoted by others and instead pursue knowing Jesus in a deeper way: “More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…(8).”
As we pursue a deeper relationship with Jesus, we are being made new. We are no longer the person we were in the past. Our desire to know Christ, to be more like Him, helps us to lay aside our past: “Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead (13).”
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17, NASB
140 Character Christian 
Thank you for this wonderful post. It really spoke to my heart. As Christians, we keep growing in our faith and the person God has called us to be. If we live in the past or focus only on our past mistakes, we miss the opportunity to ‘bloom’ as God would have us do.
Well said. Thanks for the comment. Blessings.
So true, God is faithful. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).” He showers us with His grace and love despite our failings. He offers us the ability to love in the Spirit, to reach beyond our human limitations.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Blessings.
I realized anew while reading this that there is no hidden “gotcha” moment while growing closer to Christ. “God is not a man, that He should lie…” Numbers ?:?
Even the most well meaning humans will fall short, from time to time, in relationships, but not God. As always, there is much food for thought here, Chris. Thank you, and God Bless!