Holding onto the past.

People love to hold onto the past. It is a comfort to them. Holding grudges, withholding forgiveness, being bitter, being resentful and so on, are just examples of holding onto things that only slow us down. The Bible tells us that we are running a race.

" Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."- Hebrews 12:1

So we are going to run with this idea, no pun intended. If we are running a race, then how can we hold onto all that baggage and expect to make headway? Lets say those things listed above are 5 pounds each. Imagine trying to run a race with all that weight in a backpack you are wearing. It is possible but the toll it takes on you mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.  The next problem is that you continue to look backwards at the past and all the things that happened there. It is impossible to run forward and constantly look backwards.  You can but you will end up falling and hurting yourself. 

So the best way to run a race is by running lightly and by being streamlined.  Let go of the past that holds you back. Put down those weights that are dragging you under. Throw off all these issues. Be free. We are designed and commanded to run this race in such a manner that we could win it. That is impossible when we are looking back, bearing the heavy burden of the weight of these issues. So my advice to you is this, lay those weights, burdens and all your troubles down at the feet of Jesus Christ. The very next verse in Hebrews chapter 12 tells us how to put it all down and leave it in the past by "fixing our eyes on Jesus."