Regrets, shortcomings, criticisms, ridicule, abuse, neglect, feeling unworthy, worthless, scarred, and so many more…the wounds of our past. Are you still hanging onto them? Do you let them define you today and dictate your future tomorrow?

Jesus took all our sin and shame upon Himself at the cross so we would not have to carry it. He says in Matthew 11:29, Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Did you get that? Rest for your souls!! We need rest from all those uglies in our past, and we need redemption. Ephesians 1:7 says, In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.

Friend, Jesus took every ounce of ugliness from your past and replaced it with His love and mercy, and He gave you victory in this life now and for your future!! Victory is yours now and forever!! Victory over sin and shame. Victory over criticism and ridicule. Victory over abuse and neglect. Victory over unworthiness, you name it. It was all paid for at the cross! Now that is something to shout about, and shout out loud!!

Jeremiah 29:11 promises, 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. Hope and a future!! Not regret and a past. Hope and a future!! Let that sink in, really sink in. Jesus gives us hope and a future.

Leave that past behind. The damage was done, but notice it WAS done, not is being done. But Jesus is alive and His victory over sin and death gives us Hope and a Future!! All we have to do is take it.

How do we take it, you ask? By the words we speak. No longer can we say, “when I grew up….” “I was mistreated by …” “I did such and such terrible thing…” “I feel such shame over…” “I feel so unworthy because…” “My life is scarred because of…” NO!! These words need to stay in the past they came from and never be spoken about our present or our future.

2 Corinthians 5:17 is such an encouragement and a promise, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

Have you trusted Jesus Christ as your savior? Have you given your life to Him? Are you living for Him, or do you want to live for Him? Then speak His promises over your life. Walk in these truths. And never bring up the chains of your past that keep trying to hold you back there. Break off those chains and move forward into the future God has for you. It is possible, because Jesus paid it all at the cross.

There’s a great old hymn that says, “Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain. He washed it white as snow!”