Philippians 3:13

13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,

Whatever failures you may have in the past should never handicap you as you go forward in the Christian life.

This verse doesn’t mean that we should forget our failures as such, but that we should forget the guilt and condemnation that would normally come from our mistakes. We are all going to make mistakes – even Paul did! Our job is to learn from them, and go forward without any guilt or condemnation.

Many times, when we get in a bad situation, it’s a real temptation to blame others for it. Many times, there are legitimately other people we can blame for the troubles we are in. But this verse covers that same situation! You may have people that you can blame for your situation, but that is simply “what lies behind.” Remember, nothing happens to you apart from what God wills or allows to happen to you, even at the hand of other people.

You have a choice every day regarding your attitude for that day. Remember, you cannot change the past or the fact that people will act a certain way.

We should quit blaming our past for our present!

The second part of this verse tells us what to concentrate on: reaching forward for what lies ahead. God has fabulous blessing laid out for us in this life, and in the life in heaven to follow.

John 10:10

10 … I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

Remembering the past, including our own failures or the bad treatment at the hands of others, can only keep us from reaching that abundant life God has for us!