When People Remind You of Your Past Mistakes

Have you ever been in a situation where someone brings up your past mistakes, not to encourage you, but to make you feel inferior or unworthy? It’s painful when others try to drag us back into a past we’ve worked so hard to leave behind. It can feel like a heavy weight on your soul whether it’s a reminder of past failures, sins, or struggles. But here’s the truth: if you are in Christ, you are a new creation, and your past no longer defines you.

No matter how messy, broken, or sinful, it is not who you are anymore. When people remind you of your past to bring you down, it’s crucial to remember who God says you are, not what others say about you.

1. God Has Forgiven You

We discussed this in the previous post on forgiving yourself but let us be encouraged by God's word. The most important truth to cling to when someone tries to use your past against you is that God has already forgiven you. Psalm 103:12 says, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” If God has removed your sins and no longer holds them against you, why should you let anyone else do so?

It’s easy to feel discouraged when others try to keep us trapped in our old mistakes, but God’s forgiveness is complete. The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross was enough to cover every sin, and when you accept His forgiveness, you are free from the burden of your past. Romans 8:1 reminds us, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” If God does not condemn you, neither should anyone else.

2. People Will Try to Keep You in Your Past

Unfortunately, not everyone will understand or accept God's transformation in your life. Some people may try to pull you back into who you used to be, either because they refuse to see your growth or because they want to make themselves feel superior. But their opinions do not determine your worth or your identity.

In the Bible, even the apostle Paul dealt with this. Before his conversion, Paul (then Saul) was known for persecuting Christians. After his dramatic encounter with Christ, many people were skeptical of his transformation. They remembered his violent past and doubted whether he had truly changed. But Paul didn’t let their doubts stop him from embracing his new life in Christ.

In Philippians 3:13-14, Paul writes, “But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Paul knew he couldn’t allow his past to define him. Instead, he focused on what God had called him to do. You can do the same. People may bring up your past, but you have the power to focus on God’s future for you.

I was talking to a friend recently who told me about a meet-up he had with an old friend. It had been over a decade since they’d seen each other, and both were in completely different places in their lives. Back in the day, my friend used to smoke, party heavily, and hang around some shady people. But since then, he has turned his life around—he's now a successful businessman, married to a God-fearing woman and they have four beautiful children. He has left that lifestyle far behind.

As they caught up, the old friend kept bringing up his past, reminding him of the wild days. “Remember that night you got so drunk, you broke into your neighbor's house and stole their radio?… Now look at you, all successful and stuff!” the friend said, almost with a hint of disbelief. My friend laughed it off initially, but it became clear that his old friend wasn’t simply reminiscing. It felt more like a judgment, as if my friend’s transformation didn’t sit well with him. By the end of the conversation, my friend felt like his past was being held against him, as if his growth didn’t really matter.

As we talked, I reminded him, like I stated previously, of Philippians 3:13, where Paul says, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.” His past didn’t define who he was anymore. People might bring up his old life, but God had already made him new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 reminds us, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new is here!”

Sometimes, people will remind you of your past to make you feel like you haven’t really changed or to bring you down. But remember, your past doesn’t hold power over you anymore. You are no longer defined by who you were, but by who God has made you now—a new creation, forgiven and transformed.

3. Your Identity is in Christ, Not Your Past

It is essential to remember who you are now. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” You are not the sum of your mistakes; you are God’s masterpiece, created for a purpose far greater than your past failures.

The enemy loves to use people to try and make us feel small, unworthy, or trapped in shame. But the Bible teaches that once we belong to Christ, we are His, and nothing can change that. 1 Peter 2:9 reminds us that we are “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.”

When others try to drag you back into the darkness of your past, remind yourself that you have been called into God’s wonderful light. Your identity is not in the things you’ve done wrong, but in the God who has redeemed you.

4. Forgive Yourself and Move Forward

The only way others can be successful at bringing you down is if you haven't fully forgiven yourself. If you find that you’re still holding onto guilt or shame from your past mistakes, take this opportunity to bring it to God and allow His grace to wash over you. Isaiah 1:18 says, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”

When God forgives us, He does so completely. If you’ve repented and turned to Him, then you are washed clean. Forgive yourself, and don’t allow anyone—whether it’s others or your own inner critic—to make you feel like you’re still stained by the past.

5. Responding with Grace

When people bring up your past, it’s natural to feel defensive or hurt. But as Christians, we are called to respond with grace. Colossians 3:13 encourages us, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” This doesn’t mean you have to accept harmful behavior or allow people to mistreat you, but it does mean letting go of bitterness and showing Christ’s love, even in difficult situations.

By forgiving those who try to bring you down, you free yourself from the chains of anger and resentment. More importantly, you reflect the heart of God, who forgives us endlessly despite our own shortcomings.

6. Focus on Your Future, Not Your Past

Ultimately, your past is behind you, and God has a future filled with hope and purpose for you. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Don’t let anyone distract you from the good plans God has for you by pulling you back into a past that no longer defines you.

When people try to remind you of who you were, stand firm in the knowledge of who you are in Christ. You are forgiven, redeemed, and chosen. God has called you out of darkness and into His light, and no one has the power to take that away from you.

Walk in Freedom

People may try to bring up your past to make you feel unworthy or inferior, but their words hold no weight in light of God’s truth. You are a new creation in Christ, and your past is covered by His grace. The next time someone tries to drag you down with reminders of your mistakes, remind yourself of Romans 8:31, which says, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Walk in the freedom that Jesus has given you. Your past no longer has power over you, and no one can make you feel inferior when you stand firm in the knowledge of who you are in Christ. Let His grace define you, and keep pressing forward to the future He has in store.

God bless you!

Forgiving Yourself

In the previous posts, we focused on forgiveness. We've discussed forgiving others, and its importance to our spiritual journey, however, we neglected to discuss forgiving ourselves. Forgiving ourselves is paramount to the overall forgiveness process. Forgiving ourselves can be one of the most challenging aspects of our spiritual journey. 

Forgiveness is something we often think of in terms of others. We know Jesus taught us to forgive those who wrong us, but what about forgiving ourselves? For many of us, self-forgiveness can be one of the hardest things to grasp. We carry the weight of our mistakes, reliving moments of failure or regret, and struggle to let go. Yet, the Bible reminds us of God’s grace and how deeply He desires us to walk in freedom—not just from the sins of others, but from the burden of our own past. 

Understanding God’s Forgiveness

Before we can forgive ourselves, we need to understand how God forgives us. 1 John 1:9 tells us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” This verse is a promise that no matter what we’ve done, God is ready to forgive us as soon as we come to Him in repentance. His forgiveness is immediate, total, and unearned.

But here’s the problem many of us face: while we believe God forgives us, we have a hard time accepting that forgiveness for ourselves. We may continue to replay our mistakes in our minds, doubting that we’re worthy of God’s grace. This is where self-forgiveness comes in. If God, the Creator of the universe, can forgive you, who are you not to forgive yourself?

Letting Go of Shame and Guilt

Often, we hold onto guilt and shame as a form of self-punishment, thinking that we need to pay for our mistakes. But when we do this, we minimize the power of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” If you are in Christ, you are no longer condemned. Jesus paid the ultimate price for your sins, and continuing to hold onto guilt is like saying His sacrifice wasn’t enough.

For a long time, I struggled with forgiving myself for mistakes I’d made in the past. I thought that holding onto guilt somehow made me more repentant or responsible, but in reality, it just kept me in bondage. What I’ve learned is that self-forgiveness is not about excusing your wrongs, but about accepting God’s grace and moving forward in God's love.

God’s View of You

One of the most profound shifts in my journey to self-forgiveness came when I began to see myself the way God sees me. The Bible is full of verses that tell us who we are in Christ—redeemed, loved, and forgiven. Psalm 103:12 says, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” If God no longer holds your sins against you, why should you?

This realization changed everything for me. God sees me not as my mistakes, but as His child. He calls me beloved, and He has a purpose for my life that is not defined by my past failures. When I began to embrace this truth, I was able to let go of the guilt and shame I had been carrying for so long.

Steps to Self-Forgiveness

If you’re struggling with forgiving yourself, here are a few practical steps that have helped me along the way:

1. Acknowledge Your Mistakes: Denying or minimizing your mistakes won’t lead to healing. Be honest with yourself and with God. Confess your sins and ask for His forgiveness, knowing that He is faithful to forgive.

2. Accept God’s Grace: Once you’ve confessed your sin, believe that God has forgiven you. Don’t let feelings of unworthiness or guilt prevent you from accepting the gift of His grace.

3. Renew Your Mind with Scripture: Fill your heart and mind with the truth of God’s Word. Meditate on verses like 2 Corinthians 5:17 which says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Let this truth renew your thinking and release you from self-condemnation.

4. Let Go of the Past: Philippians 3:13-14 encourages us to forget what lies behind us and to strive forward to what lies ahead. It’s time to stop dwelling on the past and focus on the future God has for you.

5. Live in God’s Freedom: Christ came to set us free, not only from the sins of others but from our own. Galatians 5:1 says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Forgiving yourself allows you to walk in the freedom that Jesus has already won for you.

Moving Forward in Freedom

Self-forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting your mistakes, but it does mean releasing their power over you. When you refuse to forgive yourself, you remain chained to the past, unable to move forward in the abundant life God has planned for you. But when you embrace the truth of God’s forgiveness and forgive yourself, you can step into the fullness of His grace.

We all make mistakes. Some of us carry wounds from the past that we think we’ll never be able to heal from. But remember this: God is bigger than your mistakes. His love and mercy cover all your sins, and He has already forgiven you. Your job now is to accept that forgiveness, let go of the guilt, and walk in the freedom that God offers.

Forgiving yourself can be hard, but it’s essential for your spiritual and emotional well-being. Don’t let guilt or shame keep you from experiencing the abundant life that God has promised you. Remember, Romans 5:8 reminds us that “God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” If Jesus thought you were worth dying for, you’re certainly worth forgiving—both by God and by yourself.

So today, I encourage you to release your past mistakes into God’s hands. Accept His grace, forgive yourself, and step into the freedom that He has already given you. You are loved, redeemed, and forgiven, and it’s time to start living like it.

God bless you!

Truly let go of the pain from the past... Hurt people in turn Hurt people

"I couldn't have been healed from the abuse until I stop using it as an excuse for bad behavior." - Joyce Meyer.

       Joyce Meyers openly speaks about the abuse she experienced as a child. She usually talks about how that hurt and pain caused her future hurt and pain. It is evident that once you've been hurt, and you don't deal with it and heal from it, you will continue the cycle of pain and hurt. In fact, some people use the abuse experienced at a young age or at some time in their life as a free ticket to behave recklessly or engage in negative behavior. In truth, that usually tends to happen whether persons are conscious of it or not.
       When speaking to others and based on my own personal experience, you sometimes engage in those behaviors because something inside of you was taken from you and you feel lost. You may feel like your worth was diminished, you are not whole, not as you once were or how God made you. Something happened that negatively influenced your outlook on life. I know persons who turned to prostitution, homosexuality, drugs, and self-destructive behavior because of the hurt they experienced. On the other hand, I know others who have become motivational speakers, ministers and counselors in an attempt to help those around them who have been hurt and to also stop the cycle of pain and hurt.
        At the end of the day, the decision lies with you. You have the power to change things around for either good or bad. You decide. Yes you were hurt, but how long can you continue to blame someone for your actions? The truth is, you can only perpetuate that lie for so long. Let go and let God heal your pain and hurt. We believe that God's love has the ability to do that, the same way God's love healed us.
       None of us are perfect but God Almighty loves us regardless. "but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8. He believes in us. Let's believe in ourselves also to change and become the person He intended us to be. Truly let go of the pain of the past.

Read more here in our part one of this "hurt people in turn hurt people" series.

If this has helped you in any way, share it with others and we welcome your feedback. God bless you.

A prostitute in the genealogy of Jesus..?

Matthew Chapter 1 it begins with the genealogy of Jesus Christ. This is the verse that caught my attention.

                   ⁵ Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse

Did I just read Rahab? Is Rahab in the genealogy of Jesus Christ? 

Rahab was the prostitute who helped Joshua's spies when they came to Jericho. She helped them from being caught and they stayed there with her. This same prostitute later married one of the spies, Salmon, and had a son, Boaz who married Ruth and they had Obed who had