To move ahead in life—to have good mental health and to live successfully, we have to move away from past failures and mistakes and go forward without letting them weigh us down. In this case the art of forgetting is essential. I hate the fact that I can’t remember anything—passwords, friend’s names, even where I put my coffee cup. Experts call this, “age-related cognitive decline.” I call it a bummer! But when it comes to past failures and regrets, forgetting comes in handy.
Every night when you go to sleep, practice dropping the day into the past. It’s over—finished. Bask in the moment. Nestle into the folds of your bed, and rest in the Lord’s almighty arms—Deuteronomy 33:27, “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Then we can quiet our hearts and bask in the truth that God is in charge—and He can make us newer every day—if we let Him.
The Apostle Paul wrote, “This one thing I do: forgetting what is behind, and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus, Philippians 3:13-14. Paul had to let go of his past. He killed Christians, but and he is also the guy who brought the message of Christ to the Gentiles. If he wallowed in his guilt and shame, we wouldn’t be believers today. He took his own advice. Now we can. Let’s move ahead.