Isaiah 43:18 (NIV) — "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!"
Change is never easy, but it is necessary. God calls us to move forward, yet we often try to drag the old into the new: old habits, old mindsets, and old fears. These become weights that slow our journey. But what if the old was never meant to come with us? What if we are holding on to something God asks us to release?
Just as a wineskin cannot hold both the old and the new (Matthew 9:17), we cannot receive the fullness of God's next season while clinging to what He has asked us to let go of. Refining and letting go of past hurts, unhealthy mindsets, and misplaced expectations is often uncomfortable, but it is essential for growth.
Are you battling the spirit of the old? Trying to mix yesterday's way of thinking with today's calling?
How can you surrender and heal while holding on to the past?
You can't.
Yes, it may be hard to move forward when you're hurt, angry, doubtful, or grieving. The list can be long, and life will hit you in ways that make you feel stuck momentarily. But staying in that place, holding onto old wounds, disappointments, unforgiveness, or even past versions of yourself, will leave you unable to embrace what's ahead.
When I first wrote this, I set it aside for a while. I read it repeatedly and had to be honest with myself; what's holding me back? A lot of things, to be honest. But I also realized something, when the old can't stay, it's not just about making peace with the past. It's about not letting the past interrupt what God is doing in the present. If we're not careful, we'll wait for something that's already gone, hoping it'll catch up to our present. But the truth is, what's gone is gone.
And here's the truth, surrendering is not just about letting go; it's about healing as you move forward. God doesn't just take things away; he makes things new. A new heart. A new mind. A new attitude. A new spirit. But you can't embrace the new if you're still clinging to what was.
I love that our God allows us to learn to strip away the old to begin anew in Christ. He doesn't rush the process, but doesn't allow us to remain where we were, either. His refining is intentional, removing what no longer serves us so we can fully become who He has called us to be.
Think of it this way, after an intense workout or cooking a big meal, would you put on fresh clothes without first washing off the sweat or the smell of food? I wouldn't! (For the record, smelling like food really bothers me; it's one of my biggest pet peeves!)
In the same way, if God is moving you forward, why would you bring the old with you? Why try to fit an old mindset into a new season? Why hold onto habits, hurts, or fears that don't belong where He's taking you?
Yes, Lord! While penning, He spoke...I had a moment of excitement there. Why seek a miracle while still holding onto the old? We must move with the shift of God to release the things He has already told us to let go of, to expand, and to make room for what is yet to come.
God does not demand perfection, but He does call us to surrender. We must allow Him to prune and polish us for where we are going. Serving, waiting, and seeking Him with an open heart prepares us for the shift. There is always more glory, growth, and transformation, but we must be willing to release what no longer aligns with our future.
Last Thought...
God does not ask us to navigate the transition alone; he leads us. When we surrender to Him, He doesn't allow us to bring the old into the new. He calls us forward, refining us along the way so we can fully embrace what He has prepared.
Stop holding on to what was and let go. Don't stay stuck in the past because God is doing something new right in front of you. You won't see it if you keep looking back.
Allow God to navigate you forward. Trust that if you surrender to Him, He will not let you carry what no longer belongs so that you can live to breathe again… new.
