Hello, darlings!
Welcome back to the blog, I hope you’re all doing well today. Grab yourself a cup of tea (maybe even a cheeky biscuit if you’re in the mood) because I want to share something that’s been on my mind lately. It’s a bit of a hard truth, but one that I think we all need to hear: dwelling is still disobedience.
Now, before you think I’m getting all preachy on you, let me explain. We all know what it’s like to get stuck in the past. Whether it’s replaying a mistake over and over, holding onto regret, or thinking about all the things we wish we’d done differently—it’s so easy to do. But here’s the thing: when we stay stuck there, we’re not moving forward the way God wants us to. We’re not trusting Him to take us where He wants us to go.
And let me tell you, this morning has been a perfect example of just how hard it can be to let go of the past. I woke up late, scrambled to get everything sorted before my daughter Keyana had to go to nursery, and of course, the minute we stepped out the door, I realised I’d left her favourite snack at home. Cue the internal monologue: “Why do I always forget these things? I should’ve done this better!” – you know the one. We all have that voice in our heads that likes to remind us of every single thing we could’ve done differently. And it’s so easy to dwell on it, get stuck, and feel like I’ve messed everything up.
But here’s the thing, in that moment, I could’ve let myself spiral into frustration, holding onto those thoughts and letting them set the tone for my entire day. Instead, I reminded myself, that God’s grace is bigger than my mistakes, and I don’t need to get stuck in the past. I’ve got a future to look forward to, and so do you. So, with that in mind, let’s talk about what it really means to trust God and step forward in obedience.
The Dangers of Dwelling
When I think about dwelling, I don’t just mean reflecting on the past or taking time to process difficult moments. Reflecting on past experiences is healthy when we do it in the right way. But here’s the issue: when we dwell on the past, we can become trapped in it. We end up stuck in regret, bitterness, shame, or fear, which ultimately keeps us from stepping forward into the future that God has prepared for us.
We’re all guilty of it. Maybe you’ve found yourself thinking about a mistake, an unhealed wound or something you wish had gone differently. It’s easy to get stuck in those thoughts, isn’t it? Sometimes, we even justify our dwelling because it feels natural or safe. We tell ourselves, “I just need to process this,” or “I need time to heal.” But if we’re not careful, what starts as a healthy reflection can turn into an excuse to remain stuck.
And that’s where disobedience comes in. When we choose to remain in a place of dwelling, we’re choosing not to obey God’s call to move forward. God calls us to walk by faith, to press on, and to move beyond the things that hold us back. He doesn’t want us to be prisoners of our past or our fears. When we keep looking back instead of looking ahead, we’re not fully trusting Him.
God Calls Us to Move Forward
God’s plan for us is always moving forward, and He desires that we walk in obedience to Him, not just when it’s easy, but especially when it’s hard. Moving forward doesn’t mean that we forget the past or ignore it; it means we stop allowing it to define us.
Philippians 3:13-14 says, “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
This verse is so powerful because it shows us the posture we’re supposed to have: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. This doesn’t mean erasing the past, it means no longer allowing it to control us. God has a future for you that’s far greater than anything you’ve left behind.
Obedience in the Small Things
Obedience isn’t just about the big decisions. We often think of obedience in terms of major life choices, when to move, when to take a new job, who to marry. But obedience is also about the small, daily choices. It’s in the way we respond to our thoughts, emotions, and circumstances. It’s in choosing peace over anxiety, forgiveness over bitterness, and trust over fear.
When we let our emotions take the lead and allow our thoughts to dwell on the negative or the fearful, we’re stepping outside of God’s will. Obedience to God is not just an action—it’s a mindset. It’s about surrendering our will to His will, trusting that His way is always best.
Why We Choose to Dwell
So why do we choose to dwell? Why do we find it so hard to let go of the past and move forward? For some of us, it’s fear. We’re afraid of what’s next. The future feels uncertain, and staying in the comfort of the past, even if it’s painful, feels safer. For others, it’s hurt. We’ve been wounded—whether it’s by others or by our own mistakes—and we think that by dwelling on the hurt, we’ll find healing.
But the truth is, dwelling in hurt only keeps us stuck. God doesn’t call us to dwell in the pain; He calls us to bring our pain to Him and let Him heal it. He wants us to trust that His healing is more than enough and that He’s already gone before us to prepare a way.
Isaiah 43:18-19 says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” God is doing a new thing in your life. You may not see it yet, but if you choose to trust Him and move forward, you’ll begin to see it unfold.
Obedience is an Act of Trust
Obedience is always tied to trust. The more we trust God, the more we’ll obey Him, even when it’s difficult. When we truly believe that God is good and that He has our best interests at heart, we can confidently move forward into whatever He has planned for us.
But it’s not just about trust in a general sense—it’s about trust in the specific things God has called you to do. Maybe God has called you to forgive someone, to step out in faith, or to let go of something that’s been weighing you down. Trusting Him in those specific moments is what obedience is all about.
The bottom line is this, when we trust God, we obey Him. And when we obey, we open the door to the blessings He has in store for us.
Letting Go and Moving Forward
If you’ve been dwelling in your past, it’s time to stop. I know it’s not always easy, and I know that healing takes time. But dwelling isn’t the same as healing. Dwelling means staying stuck; healing means moving forward with God, trusting that He has a future for you that is full of hope.
Don’t allow your past to dictate your present and future. Let go of those old wounds, regrets, and fears. Step forward in faith, knowing that God has already prepared a way for you. His plan for you is greater than anything you could have imagined.
I encourage you to take action today. Choose to stop dwelling on what’s behind you and start focusing on what God is doing right now. He’s calling you forward, and when you step out in obedience, you will experience the freedom and peace that come from trusting Him.
If you’ve made it this far, I hope this post has encouraged you to stop looking back and start moving forward with God. I know it’s not easy, but believe me, I’ve been there. Sometimes, it feels a lot more comfortable to hang onto the past, to stay in that place of hurt or regret. But as we’ve seen, dwelling on what’s behind is disobedience to God’s call for us to move forward.
God’s plans for us are bigger and better than anything we can leave behind, and His future for us is full of hope. So let’s take that step forward, one small move at a time and trust that He’s got us.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. Is there something from your past that you’re struggling to let go of? How are you learning to trust God and move forward? Let’s talk in the comments, and if you know someone who could use a little encouragement, feel free to share this post with them.
Take care, keep moving forward, and remember—God’s got this.
Sending blessings to you!
Scherise. X
