32 Best Bible Verses About Letting Go of the Past

Every. Single. Person has a past. Whether it’s hard to let go of things you did or things done to you. You also may have lost someone or a relationship that you didn’t want to lose. In any case the Bible verses about letting go of the past are filled with God’s promises and speak to His character. It’s time to let go and let God. In this article, we will talk about what the Bible says about moving on from past mistakes, consider why it’s sometimes hard to let go of the past and how to move forward. 

What does it mean to let go of the past?

Letting go of the past means to release yourself from the emotional pain, regrets, and negative experiences of the past. It involves accepting that the past cannot be changed and choosing not to dwell on it or allow it to define one’s present or future. Rather, let the promises and character of God found in the Bible verses about letting go of the past speak to your heart. According to Scripture, letting go of the past often involves forgiveness and embracing what lies ahead. It means freeing oneself from the weight of past mistakes, pain, or disappointments and allowing oneself to live in the present moment with hope, grace, and a willingness to embrace God’s good plans. Letting go of the past enables individuals to experience emotional healing, find inner peace, and focus on living out God’s purpose for their lives.

What does the Bible say about moving on from past mistakes?

The first thing we need to identify is that everyone falls short of the glory of God. That means we all make mistakes, therefore it is wise to let go of your past. We can trust that God is faithful to forgive when we sin and He is faithful to complete a good work in each of His children. God’s Word indicates that God uses everything for our good. Everything includes EVERYTHING. He uses our mistakes, our relationships, our circumstances and even hard times to prepare us for what lies ahead. This is all done out of God’s goodness. 

Here are a few specific Bible verses about letting go of the past mistakes:

Isaiah 43:18-19 – “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Psalm 103:12 – “As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.”

Romans 8:1 – “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Proverbs 28:13 – “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

Romans 8:28 – “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,^​ for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Forgiveness is Found in Christ

These verses emphasize the forgiveness that is found in Christ. God’s heart is for His people- we see the love of God through the Son of God paying the price for our debt of sin to be forgiven. Nothing is too big for the forgiveness of God- NOTHING! Furthermore, nothing we can do is too big to mess up the purposes of God. It gives me a lot of relief to know I’m not powerful enough to mess up God’s plan. Rather, He uses every move I make for the purposes He has for my life. Let a big sigh of relief out. Rest in Him. 

Why is it hard to let go of the past?

Whenever I’m having a difficult time letting go of the past, it means that I have attached meaning to the event, myself or even God. This is why it is vital to know Bible verses about letting go of the past to guide our beliefs. Our beliefs shape our thoughts and our thoughts shape our feelings and actions. For instance, if I believe my past mistakes messed up God’s plans for my life- it will shape my thoughts, feelings and actions.

The enemy wants nothing more than for me to believe I am powerful enough to mess up God’s plan for my life. Because that would lead to feelings of hopelessness and defeat and then I might even give up on trying to walk with Christ. See how vital it is to align your beliefs with Scripture? When I align my beliefs with God’s Word, I know that my mistakes are fully forgiven, God’s ultimate plan for my life remain unchanged and I can rest in the peace of God. 

Every one of us makes mistakes and has regrets…

Every one of us makes mistakes, has regrets and desperately wants a do-over. Your mistakes do NOT define you. Give it to God, receive forgiveness and walk in freedom. Sometimes the hardest things to let go of aren’t something we did, but something someone else did. It might be a deep betrayal, abuse from a past relationship. We can let go of past hurts as well. The power of forgiveness is entrusting the hurts and the person that hurt you into God’s hands. Lean into God’s help for the forgiving others and healing your heart from the pain.

Give your difficult situations to God and the promises in the Bible verses about letting go of the past will speak to restoring the years lost and God doing a new thing in your life. Another area to let go of involves mourning the loss of something significant such as a relationship, a dream or a season in your life. Trust Scripture- God has a good plan for your life. 

It’s important to acknowledge that letting go of the past is a process that usually doesn’t happen in a single moment. Rather, it is a journey that involves self-reflection, self-compassion, support from loved ones or professionals and with God’s help. While it can be challenging, letting go of the past opens up the door to growth, healing, joy and peace.

Letting go of the past has benefits…

Freedom

By releasing the grip of the past, individuals can experience emotional freedom. They are no longer weighed down by past hurts, regrets, or negative emotions. This newfound emotional freedom allows for greater joy, peace, and happiness in the present moment.

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36

Healing

Letting go of the past is a crucial step in the healing process. It is letting go of what was and embracing what is. Additionally, it opens the door for you to work through unresolved emotions and wounds, realizing that God is using everying for our good…even our sin, the sins of others and loss. Through this process, growth and transformation can occur, leading to greater self-awareness and awareness of God’s goodness.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Increased Focus

Dwelling on things of the past can cloud one’s judgment and perspective, making it challenging to make sound decisions in the present. By letting go, individuals gain mental clarity and a clearer focus on the present moment. This is where God wants us…in the present, rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

Improved Relationships

Holding onto past grievances and resentments can strain relationships with others. By forgiving others or letting go of bad relationships, we can have more authentic connections with others. They can approach relationships with forgiveness, empathy, and a fresh start, fostering deeper understanding and mutual growth.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

Greater Self Worth

Letting go of the past involves accepting that we and others fall short and that’s okay becasue God’s grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in our weakness. Our value in Christ does NOT change based on our performance. Once that is settled, we can embrace our identity in Christ.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Remember that letting go is a personal journey. It requires trusting God and His Word. Additionally, it requires self awareness, self compassion and a commitment to believing Bible verses about letting go of the past. It’s time to let go of the past and embrace the future with faith and trust in God.

How to Let Go of the Past

With all of this talk about what the Bible says about letting go of the past and why you want to let go of the past, I’m guessing you’re wondering how to make that happen. As mentioned earlier, this is often more of a journey than a destination. I wish I had a quick flip of a switch secret that makes this easy and fast, but alas, I don’t. Letting go of the past is a process that takes time and intention, but it’s a worthy and good path. Don’t do it in your own wisdom or strength. Instead, do it with God’s help and in His power. Prayerfully invite Him on this journey. His grace is sufficient for you. The Bible verses about letting go of the past will give you guidance on how to view the past.

Specific Steps: Letting Go of the Past

The first thing you need to do is acknowledge and accept the reality of what is. The past cannot be changed, but we can change the way we view the past. Secondly, be mindful of what you are believing about the past. This requires honest reflection and self awareness. Then evaluate if what you believe aligns with Scripture or if it departs from Scripture. This is the vital step. What we believe about the past and who we are and who God is will influence the way you think, feel and act regarding the past. Think about this as you meditate on the Bible verses about letting go of the past below.

Sometimes it is helpful to seek counsel to navigate your view of the past. Practicing self compassion and forgiveness (for self and others) are important parts of this journey. Be kind to your self and practice self care throughout the process. Be patient with the process! There are no short cuts and there is no way around it. The only way is through it. Remember, letting go of the past is not a linear process, and it may require revisiting these steps multiple times. Each person’s journey is unique, trust God and be gentle with yourself as you navigate the path to letting go and embracing God’s plan for your life.

32 Best Bible Verses About Letting Go of the Past

Job 42:2 – God’s Purpose is Never Thwarted

“I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

Philippians 3:13-14 – Focus on Living God’s Plan for Your Life

 “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Psalm 30:11-12 – God Redeems the Past

“You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!”

Isaiah 43:18-19 – God is Doing a New Thing

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 – The Old Things Are Gone, You are a New Creature

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

Romans 8:1 – You Are Not Condemned

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Psalm 103:12 – God Has Removed Your Transgressions

“As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.”

Isaiah 1:18 – You Are White as Snow

“Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”

Matthew 11:28-30 – Rest in God’s Love

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Hebrews 8:12 – God Does Not Hold Your Sin Over You

“For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust God’s Plan for Your Life

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

Isaiah 26:3 – Entrust the Past to God and Find the Peace of God

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”

1 Peter 5:7 – Stop Worrying About the Past and Your Heavenly Father

“Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

Psalm 55:22 – Give the Past to God

“Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”

Jeremiah 29:11 –  God has a Plan for Your Future

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

1 John 1:9 – Receive God’s Forgiveness for the Past Mistakes

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Colossians 3:13 – Let Go of How Others Have Hurt You

“Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”

Psalm 32:5 – God is Forgiving

“I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,’ and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.”

Proverbs 16:3 – Give Your Future to God

“Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.”

Psalm 37:5 – Entrust Your Future to the Lord

“Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.”

Joel 2:25 – God Redeems the Past

“I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you.”

Romans 8:28 – God Works All Things For Good

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Isaiah 40:31 – God Will Renew Your Strength

“But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

Psalm 51:10 – God Delights to Align Your Heart with His

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”

Matthew 18:21-22 – Entrust Your Pain to God

“Then Peter came up and said to him, ‘Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.'”

Galatians 5:1 – Freedom is Found in Christ

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”

Psalm 55:16-17 – God is Deliverer

“But I call to God, and the LORD will save me. Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice.”

1 John 4:18 – Jesus Has Already Bore the Punishment for Sin

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.”

Ephesians 4:31-32 – Forgive Like Jesus Forgave You

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Proverbs 19:21 – God Has a Plan for Your Life

“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.”

Psalm 34:17-18 – God Hears Your Pain

“When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”

Revelation 21:4 – Look Forward to Eternal Life

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Wrapping Up Bible Verses About Letting Go of the Past

As you reflect on Bible verses about letting go of the past, remember to grasp onto God’s grace. Recognize any negative feelings you may be experiencing and let them be signals that something deeper is going on in your heart. Are those feelings being influenced by beliefs and thoughts that don’t align with Scripture? Be sure to notice that and seek to understand how to respond to any lies that have made their way into your heart. I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic in the comments below. Additionally, share these powerful Bible verses with someone who could use some encouragement about the past.