When you make the decision to elevate your life, to step into greatness, live better, and rise higher, something wild happens. People who “knew you when” will start pulling out the history books, eager to remind you and others of who you used to be. They’ll dig up your past imperfections, poor decisions, and shameful moments, as if that’s your entire substance, like that overshadows the favor over your life. But here’s the thing: you’re not there anymore. That version of you has been reconstructed, you’re onto the 2.0 version and your focus has to be tunnel vision on moving forward.
In the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot’s wife was given one instruction: Don’t look back. She had a whole future of promise and hope waiting for her, a chance to leave behind everything she knew in exchange for something better. But what did she do? She disobeyed, looked back, and turned into a pillar of salt.
God promised to take her from destruction to destiny, but looking back cost her everything. Read it again, God has the ability to take you from destruction to destiny. When you’re heading in a new direction, looking back can stop you from where you’re going. It can keep you stagnant, leaving you stuck in the very mess you worked so hard to escape.
Why We Look Back?
Let’s be real. Sometimes the past pulls at us. Even when we know it wasn’t good for us, we still mourn what we left behind. It’s human nature. We replay the memories, we second guess our choices, and we wonder if we made the right decision to walk away. But dwelling on the past is dangerous. It keeps us tied to people, places, and situations that no longer serve us. This is detrimental to our happiness and often times our mental sanity.
Some people won’t let you move on. You’ve worked hard to leave your own “Sodom and Gomorrah,” but here they come, trying to drag you back. They’ll say things like:
“Oh, so now you think you’re better?”
“Remember when you used to…”
“You’re pretending to be someone you’re not.”
Yeah, I remember. But guess what? I’m not her anymore and this is the new me!
I used to fall into the trap of trying to defend myself, to prove that I’ve changed. But here’s what I’ve learned: you don’t have to prove anything to anybody. The version of you they keep bringing up doesn’t reside there anymore. That person has packed up, relocated, and transitioned into someone stronger, wiser, and better.
People Will See and Think What They Want
Listen here, there will always be people who try to provoke you into going back to the old you. You’ll be minding your business, walking in peace, and something will happen, they’ll push your buttons, hoping to get a reaction that fits the narrative they’ve created about you. “Ah, there she is. I knew she’d show up eventually.” Chile leave them people where they’re at!
STOP immediately! Don’t be led by emotion, don’t give them the satisfaction! Let that old version of you stay exactly where she belongs—in the past. Baby, you will be tried and tested.
The way people see you is a reflection of their own issues, not yours. Their unhappiness, their bitterness, their insecurities, that’s their problem to fix!
You’ve got bigger things to focus on. Let’s not forget we’re on a planet with over 8.2 billion people. Who you are to a handful of people doesn’t even matter in the grand scheme of things. Don’t let that bother you!
Keep Moving Forward
You made the decision to leave a place, a mindset that wasn’t good for you. You chose better for yourself, and that’s something to be proud of! People may not understand why you did it or the growth that came with it. God didn’t give them this vision over your life to be better, live better and achieve better. He gave it to you.
So, when people try to bring you back to a place you’ve already moved from, keep it pushing. Don’t let anyone drag you backward into a space you’ve outgrown. Stay away from people who make you question your progress or your worth.
When people come checking for you in the past, let them know:
“I don’t live there anymore. My heart doesn’t live there. In fact, I sold the whole building.”
You have a promising future filled with purpose and unlimited possibilities, keep moving forward. Don’t look back. Don’t get stuck defending a past that doesn’t define you. Stay focused, stay grounded, and keep walking into the abundant life that’s waiting for you.
And from this moment going forward set the record straight, for yourself:
The old you don’t live there anymore. You sold the whole dang building!!
Les Marie
"Your past is a place of reference, not a place of residence."
– Roy T. Bennett
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