God is not looking at your past to determine your future and neither should you.
“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 43:18-20
We must stop rehearsing what has happened in the past and start rehearsing what God has promised us in the future.
There’s a sad story in the Bible of an unnamed woman who wanted to hold on to her past instead of moving forward. She is known as Lot’s wife and along with her husband was rescued from destruction on the city of Sodom. Angels literally grabbed her hands and led her out of the city. They then instructed her to, “Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!”
Lot’s wife disobeyed these instructions and looked back on the past she had been rescued from.
But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. - Genesis 19:26
Looking back on her past destroyed her. The word for pillar in Hebrew is netsiyb and can also mean something stationary. She looked back to her past and she became frozen in that moment in time. The same thing can happen to us if we fixate on the past and that’s what the enemy wants. If he can keep us looking backwards, he knows we will never move forward.
In the Old Testament, people were punished for their disobedience but when Jesus came He took all punishment on Himself. God is no longer dealing with you based on your actions but based on the cross.
Look at how Jesus reacted to a woman caught in adultery who probably had a shameful past.
Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” – John 8:10-11
God did not condemn this woman instead He encouraged her to have a better future. The best way to get over the past is to hear what God says about you and, when you believe in Jesus, God says you are righteous.
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. – 2 Corinthians 5:21
When God looks at you He sees you as righteous. He is not looking at you based on your past. He is not mad or disappointed in you.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! - 2 Corinthians 5:17
God is not condemning you so don’t allow yourself or the devil to condemn you either. Regardless, of what has happened in your past your future is still waiting. There are people who need what you have to offer. Your future needs you.
Note from the author: If you struggle with shame and condemnation, I recommend listening to this free teaching by Andrew Wommack. It will change your life!
https://www.awmi.net/audio/audio-teachings/?pid=sZsIqEik&lid=NEsyKKCP