Remember the Old Testament account of Lot's wife (Genesis 19:12-26)? She disobeyed God's command when he destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah by looking back at those cities. The result was she became a pillar of salt. A story is told about a man who, after hearing a sermon about Lot's wife, told the pastor on his way out from the service, "Well, my wife didn't look back and she turned into a telephone pole!”
Looking back. We all know the need to look back when we are driving down the highway. Regular checkups in our rear-view mirrors are necessary. But it would be foolish to constantly keep looking back at where we've been rather than focus on where we are going. Life is that way also. It does us good to look back at the lessons we've learned and the blessings we've received along the way. The book of Deuteronomy emphasizes the “remember” motif. Our Lord Jesus instituted his supper so that we would take the elements in remembrance of him. Remembering is good if we keep things in perspective. As one who enjoys fishing, I have to remind myself to fish for fish and not to fish memories. Still, we must not let a negative backward look ruin our outlook.
Let's consider some "don'ts" when we are tempted to look back for too long.
DON'T LOOK BACK AT PAST SINS. This may cause unnecessary guilt and displays a lack of trust in God's Word of forgiveness. Jesus has taken care of those sins! Rest in the fact they are forgiven through his death on the cross. If we confess, Jesus forgives (see 1 John 1:9; Psalm 32:1-2; 103:11-12).
DON'T LOOK BACK AT PAST DEFEATS. There's no point in wallowing in failure. This may cause depression and unnecessary self-condemnation. Learn from defeats, but don’t let them define you. The Apostle Peter didn’t let his failures keep him from being a positive force in the early church. See Psalm 37:23-24; 145:14; Proverbs 24:16).
DON'T LOOK BACK AT THE GOOD OLD DAYS. This can cause us to be critical and harsh with present generation who does not do things the way you did them. Remember those days, but don't live there. The Bible says: Do not say, "Why were the old days better than these?" For it is not wise to ask such questions. Ecclesiastes 7:10 (NIV). Also recall the response of some of the older priests and Levites and family heads who wept at the foundation of the building of the Second Temple. It was not going to be as glorious as Solomon’s Temple. (See Ezra 3:12). Don’t miss out on the good things of the present by pining for the past.
DON'T LOOK BACK ON OLD CONFLICTS: This can make us bitter. As the saying goes, the more one picks at the scab, the worse the scar. Consider the example of Joseph in the Old Testament.
Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh, and said, "It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household." Genesis 41:51 (NIV)
DON'T LOOK BACK ON OLD VICTORIES: This can make us proud and keep us from facing new battles. We must give God the glory for any battles won. See Jeremiah 9:23-24; Romans 12:3.
Continue to look to the Scriptures for the perspectives we need in life. Some looking back is good when it instructs and encourages us for the present. However, some looking back is not helpful, especially when it distracts us and we dwell on the past, missing out on the opportunities of the present. May God grant us the balance we need.
