Are you ready to move forward and leave the past behind?  Ready to live a life full of peace and joy?  If you are ready to live victoriously, then a part of you must also be prepared to die.  

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die:
but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
– Romans 8:13

Your flesh is a carnal mindset that opposes God and keeps you centered on self.  This is the part of you that must die in order to move forward.  A carnal mindset will indulge in activities such as: fear, lust, imaginations, bitterness, worry, gossip, addictions, pride, negative emotions, sneakiness, greed, strife, self-pity and selfishness.  It is purposed to keep you distracted from God and consumed with your needs.  The flesh blocks spiritual progress and suffocates hope for the future.

So how do you die to self and move forward?

Trust God and relinquish every area of your life over to Him.  This includes your opinions, your decisions and your private thoughts.  It is a process.  Do not get discouraged or condemned.  Leave everything – all your burdens, all your cares – with God.  He knows how to properly dispose of them.  He loves you and will never use them against you.  

Renew your mind with the promises and words of God.  Keep your thoughts on Him each and every day.  This renewal process makes room for the Spirit of God to dwell inside you and lead you through life.  Your faith will grow and you will begin to look ahead with a confidence and excitement never before experienced.

Be prepared – your flesh will not die without a fight.  God knows you are not equipped to fight this battle alone so He provides His Son, the Holy Spirit and His Word to conquer on your behalf.  Through personal time with Him, you will learn how to access His provisions for you. 

Not only will God bring you out of any situation, He will strengthen and empower you to move forward victoriously!