Have you ever lived through something awful and then you keep thinking about it? Does it affect the way you think about people? Maybe you still hold a grudge against someone because of it. Let's face it; bad things happen. They can color our past—but we don't have to let them direct our future! Holding onto the past isn't just unhelpful; it's also unbiblical. In order for you and me to move forward in the power and the freshness of the Presence of God, we’ve got to let go of the past. Today, let's consider the opening lines to a letter that Paul wrote to the congregation in a place called Philippi:

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. (Philippians 1:3-5a)

This passage is the introduction of Paul's letter to the Philippians, and it’s thought provoking. Let's recall a few details from Paul's attempt to plant a church in Philippi. When he and Silas arrived, they didn't receive a warm welcome, made a few converts, but soon afterward, were mobbed, beaten, chained, imprisoned, and while in prison, went through an earthquake! Yet in today's passage, Paul writes that he thanks God every time he remembers the Philippians. How did he do that? He chose to set aside the memories of those bad things and remember the good things. Paul and Silas experienced miraculous works of God, many conversions (including the jailer and his family) and planted a house church as he continued to spread the message of Jesus in other places. Holding onto the past doesn't help anyone. It steals the joy of experiencing God in new and powerful ways.

Today, have you been holding onto some old wounds from a bad experience in the past? Let me encourage you to become intentional today about put that old thing aside. You can experience freedom from that pain if you are willing to let it go. Then you can start fresh—today—in the power and Presence of God...and that is very Good News!