Press Forward

Looking Ahead: Don’t Get Stuck in the Past

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”— Philippians 3:13–14 (NIV)

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to look back?We replay old conversations, regrets, mistakes, or even “what could’ve been” moments like a movie on repeat. Sometimes, it’s not even the bad things that hold us back—it’s the good things that keep us stuck. Maybe a season you loved ended, or a door closed you weren’t ready to walk away from. Either way, looking back can quietly anchor us to a place we were never meant to stay.

Paul reminds us here that moving forward in Christ requires intention. He says, “one thing I do.” Not ten things, not a dozen steps—just one: forget what’s behind and press forward. That word “press” tells us it’s not always easy. It’s an action. It takes effort, focus, and surrender. You can’t press forward while clinging to what’s behind you.

Think about it—when you drive, your windshield is much larger than your rearview mirror. Why? Because what’s ahead of you is far more important than what’s behind you. Yet sometimes we live like we’re staring into the rearview mirror, wondering why we keep running off the road.

Jesus is always leading us into something new. The past can teach us, but it can’t define us. Your mistakes, your pain, even your victories—they don’t get to determine your future. God does. And He’s calling you higher, forward, onward.

Maybe you’ve been holding on to something you need to release—a past hurt, failure, disappointment, or even a version of yourself that no longer fits who you are becoming in Christ. It’s time to let go.. You can’t walk into the new if your hands are still gripping the old.

Reflection Questions

1. What’s something from your past that you’ve struggled to let go of?

2. How has holding onto it affected your ability to move forward in faith?

3. What would it look like to “press on” today—one small step of obedience, surrender, or trust?

Action Step

This week, ask the Holy Spirit to show you what’s keeping you from fully moving forward. Write it down. Then, pray over it and give it to God.Say, “Lord, I’m done looking back. Help me to press forward toward all You have ahead of me.”

Closing Thought

Friend, the past is a place of reference, not residence. Don’t live there.God’s not finished writing your story, and the next chapter is waiting—just ahead.

In Him,

Heather Bradley

Author of Unthinkable:Taking the Hand of Jesus Through Pain and Suffering into a life of Freedom and Purpose.