Who Defines You – Your Past Or God?

Who defines you? Your past or God?

Who defines you?

We all have regrets – 

Things we wish we hadn't done. 

Things we'd be ashamed for others to know about. 

Moments that make us cringe when we relive them in our minds. 

Mistakes that haunt our thoughts for months, or even years after they occur. 

Regret is a terrible feeling, and we feel you. But your past and regrets do not define you. 

God does.

As a child of God, your past does not define you. 

Meditate on these powerful truths: 

2 Corinthians 5:17 – In Christ, you are a new creation. 

John 3:16, Ephesians 1:7-9, Romans 8:1 – You are loved and forgiven, no longer condemned. 

Psalm 103:12, Isaiah 43:25, 1 John 1:9 – God remembers your sin no more.

The past can't be changed, but you can. 

Your past circumstances can't be changed, but you can change. Even the consequences of your past mistakes and choices can be used for the glory of God when you ask Him to transform your mind and heart. 

Your difficult past might just be the very tool God uses to help encourage others. 

God wants to use your painful past and your redeemed life for His glory. Will you let Him?

Your past shapes you, but you are not to dwell there. 

God doesn't want you to wallow in your past failures or become enslaved to bitterness and regret. Your thoughts direct your choices, and He wants you to move forward and make wise, biblical decisions. It can only happen when you have a renewed mind (Romans 12:2). 

Isaiah 43:18-19 also says, "Forget the former things; do not well on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!"

Your past only has the power you give it. 

Your past can't hurt you anymore unless you allow it to rule your thoughts and emotions. 

Determine what present thoughts and beliefs are products of your past, then make a conscious choice to let go of past circumstances that still control you. 

Move on to become the person He has designed you to be and start walking in the 'newness of life' (Romans 6:4).

We all have a past we would like to forget. He wants to patch up your broken pieces, He wants to heal you today.