"Letting Go of My Past" | November 16, 2025 | Ps Joel Lowery

We all carry weight from our past. Some of us have packed our bags so full that every step forward feels laborious, every attempt at moving on feels impossible. The mistakes we've made, the words we can't take back, the decisions we regret - they follow us like shadows, whispering lies about who we are and what we deserve.

But what if the very thing holding us back from our future is our inability to release our past?

The Weight We Carry

Living life means accumulating baggage. It's almost unavoidable. Whether it's a struggle with anger, financial mistakes that haunt us every billing cycle, or the crushing weight of feeling like we've failed as parents, spouses, or simply as people - we all know what it means to carry regret.

The enemy loves to keep us trapped in these moments. He whispers three devastating lies into our hearts:

• You're unforgivable. You've done too much or didn't do enough. You're stained beyond redemption. The scarlet letter is permanently affixed to your identity.

• You're unlovable. If people really knew what you've done, what you think, what you struggle with - they'd walk away. You don't even love yourself, so how could anyone else?

• You're useless. You've disqualified yourself. God could never use someone like you. What if it happens again?

These whispers aren't heard with our good in mind. They are always lies designed to keep us disconnected from the One who came to give us life abundantly.

Peter's Story: From Denial to Restoration

If anyone understood the crushing weight of past failure, it was Peter. This was the man who boldly declared he would never deny Christ. The same Peter who walked on water, who defended Jesus with a sword, who demonstrated unwavering conviction time and time again.

Yet when the pressure mounted, Peter crumbled. Three times he was asked if he knew Jesus. Three times he denied it. And on that third denial, Scripture tells us in Luke 22:60-62 that "the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly."

Imagine that moment. Jesus - full of compassion and love - looking at Peter. It wasn't a look of condemnation, but Peter's internal guilt made even Jesus' love feel uncomfortable. This is crucial to understand: sometimes when we encounter God, it's not judgment we're feeling - it's conviction exposing our own shame.

Peter ran. He deserted his calling. The man who swore loyalty above all others became the man who couldn't even admit knowing Jesus to a servant girl.

The Breakfast That Changed Everything

But the story doesn't end with Peter's failure. After the resurrection, Jesus found Peter back at his old life - fishing. When the nets filled with fish at Jesus' command, Peter recognized Him and impulsively jumped into the water, swimming to shore.

Jesus had breakfast waiting.

What followed was one of the most profound restoration moments in Scripture. Three times - matching the three denials - Jesus asked Peter: "Do you love me?" (John 21:15-17)

Each time Peter affirmed his love, Jesus responded with a commission: "Feed my lambs. Take care of my sheep. Feed my sheep."

The Path to Letting Go

In this interaction, we see a blueprint for how Jesus heals us and gives us tools to release our past:

1. Return to the One Thing - Jesus didn't rehash Peter's failures in detail. He didn't shame him or list his mistakes. Instead, He brought Peter back to the foundation: "Do you love me?"

Everything starts with being rooted in God's love. Your identity cannot be found in your mistakes, your successes, your struggles, or your victories. Your identity must be anchored in Christ alone. When you're covered by the blood of Jesus, God sees you as white as snow - not because you're perfect, but because you're covered by His perfection.

2. Allow the Hurt to Surface - By the third time Jesus asked, "Do you love me?" Peter was hurt. Why would Jesus keep asking?

Because Jesus had to bring the hurt to the surface. Letting go doesn't mean burying the past and pretending it doesn't exist. It means allowing God to bring it up so He can heal it.

Think of refining gold - you have to turn up the heat to bring impurities to the surface so they can be skimmed off. Or consider hydrogen peroxide on a wound - it burns and bubbles, but that's how you know it's working, bringing infection to the surface so healing can occur.

The deeper the wound, the more times you may need to give it to God. This isn't failure; it's the process of deep healing.

3. Embrace Your Greater Purpose - Jesus reminded Peter of his original calling: to fish for people, not fish. The mission wasn't over - it was just beginning. What Peter had seen so far would pale in comparison to what was coming when the Holy Spirit arrived.

But Peter needed to do his homework first. He needed to deal with his past so he wouldn't be encumbered when it was time to run.

God doesn't form you just so you can live a comfortable religious life. He forms you to be a warrior. And warriors aren't made without pain, stretching, and challenges.

Your Purpose Awaits

There is a purpose to your pain. Peter went from fisherman to disciple, from denier to apostle. The same power that restored Peter is available to you.

But here's the truth: If you can't let go of your past, you can't take hold of your future. You can't run for the prize if you're constantly looking behind you.

God is calling a generation of people - young and old - who are tired of playing religious games. People who want all of Him in every area of life. People willing to do the hard work of allowing Him to bring up the hurt so He can heal it.

He's looking for clean vessels who say, "Raise it up, God. I want to be used by You."

The Holy Spirit is present and ready to pour hydrogen peroxide on your wounds - not to embarrass you, but to heal you. Not to condemn you, but to free you for the greater purpose He has planned.

Your past doesn't define you. Your mistakes don't disqualify you. God's love covers you completely.

The question is the same one Jesus asked Peter: Do you love Him?

If the answer is yes, then it's time to let go of what's behind and embrace what's ahead. Your calling awaits. Your purpose is too important to remain enslaved to yesterday.

It's time to travel light.