We Don’t Belong to the Past — We Belong to God

 

Admiration can quietly cross over into coveting when we lose sight of being content and thankful for what we have. It's easy to be drawn in by the surface—the beauty, success, or appeal of someone or something—without understanding the cost, process, or spiritual implications attached. Sometimes, what looks desirable is wrapped in pain, compromise, or bondage we can't see.

People will actually go as far as to manipulate situations, relationships, and environments to get closer to something that was never meant for them. That kind of striving not only disrupts divine timing but often leads to unnecessary heartache.

A mindful heart discerns the difference between admiration and desire. It checks its motives and brings thoughts captive under obedience to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5  We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ). Instead of “Why don’t I have that?” it asks, “What do I already have that I may be overlooking?”

It’s easy to admire someone else’s life, relationship, success, or possessions—and before we realize it, that admiration turns into comparison, and comparison into coveting. But the Word is clear: “Thou shall not covet” (Exodus 20:17).

We rarely pause to ask what that person had to sacrifice or endure. We don’t always see the full story, the unseen burdens or battles attached to what we’re longing for.

Instead of setting our hearts on what belongs to another, let’s choose to:

• Be mindful of what we’re entertaining in our thoughts.

• Appreciate what we have—no matter how small it may seem.

• Celebrate others genuinely, knowing that joy and fulfillment are also available to us.

• Trust that God’s timing for our portion is perfect.

Gratitude silences envy. Contentment births peace. And faith reminds us that what God has for us is already ours.

 Bishop Joshua of the Universal Church preached something yesterday that was already stirring in my spirit. He said:

“Stop comparing your life to what you see on social media... Many of those people are depressed... You don’t know what they compromise to have what they have.”

And it’s true.

Social media often shows us filtered success—but not the silent suffering, the moral sacrifices, or the loneliness behind it. We begin to admire and envy people who might be spiritually empty or lost. We forget that not everything that glitters is from God.

Bishop also reminded us that idolizing celebrities, influencers, or public figures—being consumed with their lives—is a form of worshipping idols. That hit hard.

Let’s be real: how many times have we compared our process to someone else’s highlight reel?
How many times have we scrolled and suddenly felt "not enough"? This one especially..

But here’s what really spoke to my heart:

“Even in looking back to the old you, there is nothing to find.” 

That was for me.
Because the old me? She was rejected, broken, searching.
I tried to belong, but the truth is—I never did. I was set apart. And now, I understand:
I don’t belong to the past—I belong to God.

I don’t miss my old life.
I don’t miss trying to earn love, trying to be accepted, or hiding my pain.
With God, I’ve gained peace that surpasses all understanding, identity that doesn’t change with trends, and purpose that can't be taken away.

Scriptures to Hold Onto:

“You shall have no other gods before Me.” – Exodus 20:3
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” – Colossians 3:2
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17 

Affirmation:
I will not idolize the lives of others.
I trust God’s plan for my life.
I no longer belong to my past—I am a new creation in Christ.

  

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