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In all types of sports, competitors may make mistakes, get frustrated, and even ruin the rest of their game. Sometimes, they get so focused on the goal they missed, the throw they botched, or the catch they dropped, that they let it affect their next play. This tendency has to be trained out of them. A key part of becoming a great athlete is learning to shake off mistakes and keep their focus on what comes next.

Take race car drivers, for example. They must learn to recover quickly, stay present in the moment, and focus on the road ahead. They can't control the last turn; they can only focus on navigating the next one. Boxers face a similar challenge. They can't afford to dwell on the punch they missed or the round they lost; instead, they have to be ready for the next opportunity because what's behind them is already over.

Too often, we experience a failure, someone lets us down, or a door closes unexpectedly - and we get stuck in a loop. We can't seem to let it go. We think, "That shouldn't have happened!" And day after day, we replay the situation in our minds, focusing on how things should have worked out.

But here's the truth: we cannot change or control the past. What we do have is the gift of today, a fresh start. Today is the first day of the rest of your life. It can be anything you want it to be, and it doesn't have to look like yesterday. The Apostle Paul put it this way:

(Philippians 3:13–14 NASB) Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

When we focus on the past, we miss what God is doing right here, right now. And when we lose our focus on God, we don't just lose our way spiritually - we lose everything that truly matters. Nothing in this world is as important as Jesus.

The Lord is never caught off guard. Nothing surprises Him because He knows the end from the beginning. He knew that door would close long before you did, and He was already preparing another one to open. But you won't see it if you're still looking behind you...

(Isaiah 43:18–19 NASB) "Do not call to mind the former things, Or ponder things of the past. "Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert."

The Lord promised He would make a road through the wilderness. What once looked impossible will suddenly become clear. He said He would bring rivers to the desert - watering the dry and thirsty land. We don't have to worry about the details, the obstacles, or how it will all come together. That's His job. You don't need every piece to fit perfectly; you just need to let your purpose align with His.

If you're stuck in the failure, sin, or discouragement of the past, you'll never be able to step out in faith. When you've been knocked down, and the wind has gone out of your sails, it's easy to focus on the temporary things around you and lose sight of the eternal. Yet, God can bring new beginnings today.

The things you see around you in the physical world are all temporary. Trees, plants, buildings, cars - even your body and the clothes you wear - were taken from the Earth and will one day return to it. There's no need to get too attached to things like careers, houses, wealth, or vehicles. These are simply tools we need for this season, and they will all pass away.

But in eternity, the streets will be paved with pure gold, and the glory of God will illuminate them. We will reunite with lost loved ones that have passed on. So, whatever problem you are facing today is temporary - it has a beginning and an end. And in the future, there will be no more death, sickness, disease, sorrow, or crying.

(Revelation 21:4–5 NKJV) And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new..."

Don't be so concerned about what has happened in the past. Jesus made it clear that we are to stay focused on God's calling and not allow ourselves to become distracted by it.

(Luke 9:61–62 NKJV) And another also said, "Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house." But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

Solomon wrote it this way:

(Proverbs 4:25–27 NASB) Let your eyes look directly ahead And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. Watch the path of your feet And all your ways will be established. Do not turn to the right nor to the left; Turn your foot from evil.

It's good when doors close - it means we can be ready for the next one to open. Here are a few things I've learned as I've grown older:

* When I face unemployment, I've learned that it often means I'm about to get a promotion. I work for the Lord, and He opens doors no one can shut. And yes, He can close them too. I've seen Him even bankrupt businesses just to move me along to my next task.

* When computers, servers, or equipment die, it's a sign that an upgrade is coming. And it will be better than ever.

* If you're feeling overwhelmed, under-qualified, half-scared, and wondering if you heard God right, then you probably did. If you can comfortably do it without Him, you probably didn't hear Him in the first place. He is God, and His ways are so far above ours that we're like ants trying to understand a mountain.

* The Lord is the Commander in charge. He gives the orders, and we follow. We don't have to understand why things are done this way. He knows, and that's enough.

So take heart, be content, and don't get discouraged or panic. The Lord is large and in charge, and nothing can catch Him off guard.

You can pray this with me if you like:

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You so much for taking care of me. Please let me see things through Your eyes. Open the right doors for me and speak to me in a clear way that I understand. Make what is important to You important to me. Help me let go of the past and focus on eternity. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!