Philippians 3:13-14 – Straining Toward What is Ahead
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.
Isaiah 43:18-19 – Forget the Former Things
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? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Proverbs 4:25-27 – Fix Your Gaze
Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.
Also Read: 40 Bible Verses About Consistency
Joshua 1:9 – Be Strong and Courageous
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Psalm 37:23-24 – Steps Ordered by the Lord
The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
Proverbs 16:9 – The Lord Determines Steps
In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.
Isaiah 58:8 – Your Light Will Break Forth
Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
Psalm 119:105 – Lamp for My Feet
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
2 Corinthians 5:17 – New Creation
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
Isaiah 41:10 – Do Not Fear
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Matthew 6:25 – Do Not Worry
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
Psalm 32:8 – I Will Instruct You
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
Psalm 16:8 – I Will Not Be Shaken
I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Hebrews 10:35 – Do Not Throw Away Confidence
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
Jeremiah 29:11 – Plans to Prosper You
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Psalm 73:23-24 – Hold My Hand
Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.
John 16:33 – Take Heart, I Have Overcome
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Psalm 121:1-2 – My Help Comes from the Lord
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Isaiah 30:21 – Your Ears Will Hear
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
Psalm 31:24 – Be Strong and Take Heart
Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.
Deuteronomy 31:6 – The Lord Goes Before You
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Isaiah 40:31 – Those Who Hope in the Lord
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
1 Corinthians 15:58 – Always Give Yourself Fully
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Psalm 34:17-18 – The Righteous Cry Out
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Matthew 11:28-30 – Come to Me
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Psalm 37:5 – Commit Your Way to the Lord
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this.
Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Isaiah 26:3 – Perfect Peace
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you.
Psalm 42:11 – Put Your Hope in God
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
1 Peter 5:7 – Cast Your Anxiety
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Romans 8:18 – Present Sufferings
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Hebrews 12:1-2 – Run with Endurance
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer, and perfecter of faith.
Psalm 55:22 – Cast Your Burden on the Lord
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
Romans 8:28 – All Things Work Together
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Psalm 138:8 – The Lord Will Fulfill His Purpose
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.
Psalm 138:3 – You Answer Me
When I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me.
Romans 15:13 – Overflowing with Hope
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Psalm 55:16-17 – Evening, Morning, and Noon
As for me, I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning, and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.
Matthew 11:29 – Learn from Me
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Isaiah 41:13 – I Am Your God
For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Philippians 4:6-7 – Do Not Be Anxious
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Isaiah 35:4 – Be Strong, Fear Not
Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.”
Matthew 19:26 – With God All Things Are Possible
But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man, this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.”
Proverbs 3:6 – Acknowledge Him in All Your Ways
In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
What Does the Bible Say About Moving Forward?
In our journey through life, we often encounter moments when we must let go of the past and move forward. The Bible provides profound guidance on this subject, encouraging us to embrace new beginnings and trust in God’s plan.
From the very beginning, the Bible teaches us about the importance of moving forward. When God called Abraham to leave his home and go to an unknown land (Genesis 12:1-4), it was an invitation to a new future filled with promise. Similarly, our faith journey often requires us to step out of our comfort zones and trust in the path that God lays before us.
One key aspect of moving forward is leaving behind what holds us back. In the New Testament, Paul speaks to this when he writes about forgetting what lies behind and straining toward what is ahead (Philippians 3:13-14). This doesn’t mean we utterly forget our past—it is part of who we are—but we are called to not let it hinder our progress. We must focus on our future with Christ, who transforms and renews our lives.
Another significant theme is trusting in God’s guidance. In Proverbs, we are reminded to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6). This trust is pivotal in moving forward, as it allows us to rely on God’s wisdom rather than our limited perception. By submitting our plans to Him, we can find the courage to take steps into the unknown with confidence.
The Bible also speaks about resilience in the face of adversity. When the Israelites were freed from Egypt and faced the daunting task of crossing the Red Sea, Moses conveyed God’s assurance to move forward (Exodus 14:15-16). God’s power to deliver and guide His people serves as a powerful reminder that our challenges, no matter how insurmountable they seem, are within His control.
Moreover, moving forward involves personal growth and transformation. Paul encourages us to put off our old selves and be renewed in the spirit of our minds (Ephesians 4:22-24). This transformation is about becoming more Christ-like, shedding old habits, and stepping into the new identity we have in Jesus.
In the book of Isaiah, God promises to do a new thing and make a way in the wilderness (Isaiah 43:18-19). This reassures us that God is continually at work, orchestrating new possibilities and opportunities for us. Our role is to perceive His actions and align our steps with His direction.
Ultimately, moving forward is an act of faith. As we let go of the past and embrace the future, we are called to trust in God’s promises and His unwavering love for us. By focusing on Christ and His calling for our lives, we can confidently move ahead, knowing that He is with us, guiding our every step.