By Bindu Adai Mathew

When you drive, what direction are you generally facing? Unless you’re reversing out of your driveway or a parking spot, most likely you are facing forward most of the time you are driving.  Imagine though, that you are intending to go forward, but your neck is craned around to constantly look behind you. If you did that, more than likely, your car would veer off its course or worse, crash into something else.

We all know the dangers of texting or driving. Even taking your eyes off the road in front of you for a few seconds can result in tragedy.

But that is exactly what happens when you are constantly dwelling on your past. It’s human nature to want to think about our past. Our memories are powerful and they can have lasting effects on our life. It can be fun to reminisce with some good friends and family about our lives. However, whether it was the “good ole’ days” when life was so much better or some deep childhood hurt we can’t move past, constantly focusing your attention on the past can result in veering off your course in life. We can’t change the past. We can’t access it except through our minds and memories. But if you don’t like where your life is or where it’s headed, you must focus on where you are and where you want to be.

So which direction are you facing today? Is it focused, forward with anticipation, ready to move and adjust as needed in your journey? Or are you constantly looking and dwelling on your past?

Perhaps your life isn’t moving forward because you’re facing the wrong direction.

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.”  Isaiah 43:18 NIV
“But forget all that–it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.   Isaiah 43:18 NLT