Your life as it is, not as it was

Several years ago, I was watching an episode of Little House on the Prairie. There was a girl in a wheelchair. She was upset about how much her life had changed. 

Her mom, wanting the best for her, knew she needed to change her perspective. She said: “Live your life as it is, not as it was.”* In other words, don’t live your life today (and tomorrow) based on how you used to be. Let’s move forward instead of getting stuck in the past.

Psalm 32 gives us a picture of how David was, in some ways, consumed by his own past. He had sinned. He kept it to himself and didn’t confess it to God. Verses 3-4 say: “For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.”

That’s a description of a man who was burdened by what had happened in the past. However, when he confessed his sin to the Lord, he was forgiven and able to move forward (verse 5). He experienced God’s instruction (verse 8), steadfast love (verse 10), and was able to rejoice (verse 11).

Are you feeling burdened and stuck—as if a heavy hand is upon you (verse 4)? I don’t know your specific situation, so I can’t speak to it. But there are times when we are weighed down because we haven’t been honest with God. 

Perhaps there is a sin we haven’t confessed. Perhaps it is something from long ago, but which still lingers in your mind. Or perhaps we are knowingly living in a way that is contrary to the teachings of Jesus. As a result, there is internal static. Something is “off” because we are saying we love Jesus with our lips but are trying to get away with subtle rebellion.

If so, do what David did. Be honest with God. Ask for his forgiveness. Find relief. And start fresh. Live in the light of today instead of the darkness of yesterday. 

In verse 6 David speaks of relief: “surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him.” 

Or you.

“Live your life as it is, not as it was.” And how it is—if you are in Christ—is forgiven.

Notes:

-“#Blessed and Forgiven (Don’t Believe the Lies), Psalm 32.” Click here. Full sermon.

-Note: As of August 10, I am on vacation. However, The Up Daily Devotional will continue daily until August 21, then go on pause for 2 weeks, resuming on September 7, 2026.

-*The episode was titled “Farewell Albert, I’ll miss you.”

-Bible quotes, ESV.