Looking Back

But Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. (Genesis 19:26 NIV)

Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. Who knows for sure why she looked back? Was it because she didn't want to leave her home, and she wanted one last look? Was it because she, like Lot, was reluctant to give up the lifestyle she had enjoyed in Sodom? Was it because the sound of the devastation raining down on the city made her want to see what was happening? Whatever her reason, she turned and looked back, even though the angels had told her not to. And she became a pillar of salt. Because she was unwilling to let go of the past, she lost her life.

Our world is full of Christians who are becoming pillars of salt... because they are unwilling to let go of the past. "I was a victim of child abuse." "My father died when I was little." "I've never had a good relationship." "My parents were divorced." "There wasn't enough money for me to go to college." "I grew up in a poor neighborhood." "My husband beat me all the time." "My parents were too strict." "My parents were too lenient." "Alcoholism runs in my family." Each of these statements is used as an excuse for current behavior.

I used to know a woman whose entire existence was based on the past. Her past, her family's past, anyone's past who came in contact with her. It seemed every time I was around her, I would end up depressed and feeling generally lousy about life for several days after our encounter. Then I began to notice that every time I was around her, she would bring up all the difficult things I had gone through in my life, rehashing them as though they were current events, reminding me of things that I had put behind me long ago. Because she was unable to let go of the past, she wanted to make sure I didn't either. And every time I was around her, I began to turn into a pillar of salt. As soon as I made the decision to stop spending time with her, I think the Lord breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Now, finally, I can begin to heal you!" And He has.

As bad as any horrible situation may have been in your life, those that are behind you are over. They are done. They are out of your life, if you want them to be. Through Jesus, you can have healing. Through Jesus, you can have a victorious life, a life free of the torment of the past. Through Jesus, you can go forward - if you stop looking back.

From Newsong Ministries

Used with permission.