Five essential tips for starting over

Getting over your last relationship was tougher than you expected. You wish you still had your job. Or maybe a huge mistake you made in the past threatens to ruin the rest of your life. It feels like your future is doomed by your past failures.

How do you start over when it’s so difficult to get past your past?

It is possible to move forward because God helps us take steps to get there. He provides for people in new seasons and new places because He’s always got our best at heart (Isaiah 43:18-19).

Five Tips For Getting Past Your Past and Starting Over

1. Admit what happened

To move on, we’ve got to admit what’s in our past. If it’s something we’ve done wrong, we can find freedom in admitting we sinned and turning back to God (James 5:16). Because of Jesus, we can leave the old behind and have changed lives (2 Corinthians 5:17).

The struggles of our past are like seeds in fertile soil. We may not see any good come from it now, but we can grow in wisdom over time (James 1:2-4).

Only when we release what we’re currently holding on to can we receive the better things that Jesus provides. We have to give up what’s behind us so we can accept what God puts before us.

We have to give up what’s behind us so we can accept what God puts before us.

2. Change your mind

Our lives follow where our focus lies (Proverbs 4:25-27). Getting past our past requires us to think about the future from God’s perspective. A changed mind comes from meeting Jesus and learning about what He wants for us (Romans 12:2).

3. Change your environment

If you’re a recovering alcoholic, you probably shouldn’t spend time at the bar. If you’re trying to get over a bad breakup with your ex, it’s best to avoid the restaurant or office where he or she works.

The company you keep impacts the person you become (Proverbs 13:20). Where do you spend your time? Is the group of people you hang around helping you start over or hindering your progress (Psalm 1:1)? Choose to be in surroundings fitting with the new directions you want your life to go.

4. Change your behavior

Living differently begins with the decision to act differently.

Expecting a permanent fix by a temporary change of behavior is like dieting and exercising for two weeks but expecting the results to continue indefinitely. Jesus helps us with each next step we need to take (Titus 2:11-12).

5. Ask for help

We don’t have to struggle alone (Galatians 6:2). We’re meant to help each other through challenging times (Proverbs 17:17). Life is so much better when we have friendships that both encourage us and challenge us to move forward with God.

God has taken care of us in the past. He will be with us in the future.