Your Past Doesn't Define Your Future

The inspiration for this blog came from a sermon that Bishop Ray Willis preached on 8/12. He laid it down. In short, he stated that your past doesn't dictate your future. When I heard that message title, I knew it was something that Joel Osteen usually says, because I follow Joel Osteen and I like his style. Anyway, many times in life we allow our past to dictate our future, and that should not be. Some of the most influential people have had pasts (some good, others not so good). The difference between them and some regular people is that those big timers didn't let their past determine where they wanted to go. Sure, it may have been a tough battle to the top, but when (s)he made it, they can look back and say "I did that." Many people need to realize that their past is just THAT, their past. Each new day presents an opportunity to get it right. I know for me, I'm not going to let my past define my future because I've been through too much to give up now. As I sometimes say, I'm tempted to give up, but too stubborn to do so. Some people are used to losing in life that they don't know what to do when they finally start winning. All they've ever known was loss, so I can't expect them to know what winning feels like. I know for me, I will never get used to losing. If God allows me to win, then that's what I'm going to do. I don't want ANY regrets when I take my last breath. I want to be remembered as someone who came, saw, and conquered. I can't do that if I allow my past to dictate my future. I don't understand how someone can be SO CLOSE to breakthrough, and decide to quit. Their past tells them "Remember your failures? What makes you think you'll finally succeed?" Some people listen to the naysayers instead of what God says. If you're a child of God, then you automatically win. Anything less than that is uncivilized. If this applies to ANYONE, remember, you can do all things through Christ which strengthens you. Don't let your past dictate your future. I'm not, and neither should you.