How many times have you gone back to someone or something that has had a negative impact on your life? Probably quite a bit, right? So often we try to leave people or habits behind only to turn back and make matters worse than before. A lot of times the things we go back to are our past regrets, but we do it anyways because "this time will be different." And even though there's a slight chance that the next time will be different, realistically it won't be. We've all made this mistake before. Now it's time we learn from it.
I can't help but take a Biblical perspective on the idea of not turning back, as the Bible shows the successes and failures of those who moved forward and those who looked back.
A good example of this can be found in Genesis 19 with Lot's wife in the city of Sodom. God chose to destroy the city of Sodom because the place was full of sin. He sent angels to spare Lot and his family, telling them where to go and not to look back. Lot's wife looked back and became a pillar of salt. Now when I say she looked back, I mean she was considering and valuing her life that she had there. She was turning back to the sinful and negative lifestyle that she was supposed to be leaving behind.
We can draw similar parallels to our lives today. Just like Lot and his family, we are given the chance to turn from the negative things in our life and surround ourselves with positive things and positive people. We need to use that opportunity to stop turning back to the way we're used to. We need to surround ourselves with people who know that the answer isn't just to simply going back to where you were before. We can't go back and change anything, so let's move forward with hope and determination instead.
I get that it's a lot easier said than done. I've tried and failed more times than I can keep track of. One thing I am sure of, however, is that when I'm successful I am a lot happier. Being able to turn from something and no longer have to live with regret is a great thing. Life is much more enjoyable when you aren't worried about your past.
Don't get me wrong, learning from the past will help you in the future. Everything you go through builds your character in a different way, but there's a difference between using those lessons to move on or allowing them to send you back.
So challenge yourself this week. Challenge yourself this summer. Finish out the rest of 2016 trying your best without turning back. Cut the negative people and the negative habits out of your life to the best of your ability. It'll be rough, but you can do it.
Don't go back to the past, look to the future and tell yourself "no turning back."
