“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.” – Philippians 3:13
Bible Verses About Leaving Things Behind
The Command to Let Go
In our faith journey, we are often reminded that to truly embrace what God has for us, we must learn to let go of the past. Holding onto past mistakes, regrets, or hurts can weigh us down. When we look at Hebrews 12:1, we are encouraged to rid ourselves of these burdens. By letting go, we find freedom and the ability to pursue our relationship with God wholeheartedly, allowing us to step into new beginnings with confidence and hope.
Hebrews 12:1
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” – Hebrews 12:1
Isaiah 43:18-19
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” – Isaiah 43:18-19
2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
Luke 9:62
“Jesus replied, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.'” – Luke 9:62
Philippians 3:13-14
“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But 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
Faith in New Beginnings
Leaving things behind allows us to put our trust in God’s plan for our lives. When we step into the unknown, we are practicing faith. This faith is what bridges the gap between where we are and where God desires us to be. Scriptures like Jeremiah 29:11 remind us that God has great plans for our future. By embracing new beginnings, we open ourselves to witness God’s work in our lives, seeing each step as a part of His divine purpose.
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
Revelation 21:5
“He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'” – Revelation 21:5
Isaiah 65:17
“See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.” – Isaiah 65:17
Psalm 40:3
“He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him.” – Psalm 40:3
Galatians 6:15
“Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation.” – Galatians 6:15
Overcoming Fear of the Future
Leaving things behind can often bring about feelings of fear and uncertainty. As we move away from the past, it is natural to worry about what lies ahead. However, God invites us to replace that fear with courage. Scriptures like 2 Timothy 1:7 remind us that God gives us a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline. We are never alone, and with God’s help, we can step boldly into our future, overcoming the fears that try to hold us back.
2 Timothy 1:7
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” – 2 Timothy 1:7
Psalms 27:1
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” – Psalms 27:1
Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
Romans 8:31
“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” – Romans 8:31
Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7
The Importance of Forgiveness
As we leave things behind, one critical aspect is forgiveness. Holding onto grudges or past hurts only weighs us down. The Bible teaches us the importance of forgiving others as a way to set ourselves free. We find peace in Christ when we choose to let go of resentment or bitterness. Forgiveness doesn’t just benefit those we forgive; it brings healing to us, allowing us to move forward without the burdens of the past.
Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32
Colossians 3:13
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” – Colossians 3:13
Matthew 6:14-15
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” – Matthew 6:14-15
Mark 11:25
“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” – Mark 11:25
Luke 6:37
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” – Luke 6:37
Trusting in God’s Timing
Sometimes, leaving things behind and moving forward requires us to trust God’s timing. It can be challenging, especially when we are eager to see change or progress in our lives. However, trusting in God allows us to surrender our plans to Him, knowing He has our best interests at heart. Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us that there is a time and season for everything. We need to be patient as we wait for God to fulfill His promises.
Ecclesiastes 3:1
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1
Psalm 27:14
“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” – Psalm 27:14
Isaiah 40:31
“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
Habakkuk 2:3
“For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” – Habakkuk 2:3
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
Living in Gratitude for the Present
Finally, as we leave things behind, we should focus on being grateful for what we have in our present. Living with gratitude helps us appreciate God’s blessings rather than dwelling on what we’ve lost. Thessalonians teaches us to give thanks in all circumstances. By choosing gratitude, we open our hearts to see God’s goodness and plan for our lives. It encourages us to move forward with hope and joy, regardless of past experiences.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Philippians 4:11-12
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.” – Philippians 4:11-12
Colossians 3:15
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” – Colossians 3:15
Ephesians 5:20
“Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Ephesians 5:20
Psalm 107:1
“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” – Psalm 107:1
Final Thoughts
Leaving things behind can be both challenging and liberating. It gives us the opportunity to seek fresh starts, trust in God’s timing, and learn the beauty of forgiveness. We learn that God has beautiful plans for us as we navigate the journey ahead. It is essential to let go of the past and embrace the present with gratitude and hope, for each day is a gift filled with possibilities. Together, we can encourage each other to take bold steps toward the future God has prepared for us.
We have seen through the scriptures the importance of moving forward with faith, receiving God’s gifts, and trusting His process. I invite you to join me on this journey and deepen your understanding of God’s love and purpose for our lives.
Encourage your friends and family to explore more topics about faith, such as Kingdom of Heaven and The Power of Peace. This journey together helps us to understand God’s path better and support one another in our faith.