Have you ever played the “what if” game?

You know, what if things worked out with (insert name of random ex here)?

What if I made the wrong decision in switching jobs?

What if I waited to do things God’s way?

What if I missed my only chance to pursue my dreams?

I hate playing the what if game, because I always end up loosing:

I lose my peace. I lose my joy. I lose hours of sleep. I lose it all when my mind starts wandering into the endless possibility of what ifs.

I’m guessing you’ve had your share of losses playing the what if game as well.

Letting go of the past, no matter how dysfunctional or damaging it may have been, is never an easy process…even for us super-faith girls.

Many of us cope by hiding the hurt and disappointment we are carrying on the inside, while pretending to have it all together on the outside.

Whether it’s the loss of a failed relationship. Or the memories from a childhood we’d like to forget, the only way for us to truly enjoy the life God has for us is to fully embrace His promise of renewal.

We may not have been able to control the people or situations that hurt us, but we can decide to no longer allow them to affect who we are today.

So how do we finally let go of the past and move ahead with our lives? We become intentional.

Instead of allowing our thoughts to wander and rehash the events of the past, let’s intentionally remember the promises of God.

Let’s intentionally replace statements of doubt and fear with those of hope and faith.

Let’s intentionally believe our destiny isn’t connected to anything or anyone in our past; that some way, somehow, God will work things out in our favor.

I won’t promise you it will be an overnight process. And some days may be easier than others. But with God’s grace we’ll be able to let go, one thought at a time.

Need some help getting started? Here are 10 of my favorite scriptures for those days when you’ll need an extra push to keep moving forward.

10 Scriptures to Help Let Go of Your Past

“Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new.  Isaiah 43:18-19

…focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead…Philippians 3:13b

The righteous keep moving forward, and those with clean hands become stronger and stronger. Job 17:9

He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. Psalm 147:3

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:23  

You have changed my sadness into a joyful dance; you have taken away my sorrow and surrounded me with joy. Psalm 30:11 

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6