Haunted House · Week 4 · Ghost
How to Let Go of the Past and Move Forward With Jesus
Regret, rejection, and painful memories can haunt today’s decisions. But your past does not have to decide your future.
Pastor Chris Fluitt · Redemption Church Plano · October 25, 2026
Some moments end, but the feeling stays. Maybe it’s the mistake you still replay, a painful relationship, the opportunity you missed, or a voice from years ago that you still hear in your mind. You want to move forward – so why does the past keep showing up in your present? There is hope beyond simply pretending it never happened. Jesus invites you into a new life.
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Haunted House Message Series
Four messages about the patterns we let live within us. Explore every episode and the free companion resources.
Why does the past keep haunting us?
Regret is a common human experience. Maybe you remember a conversation you wish you could redo, an opportunity you missed, or the day you were rejected. The event is over, yet the shame or fear can seem as immediate as ever. This is one reason letting go of the past is harder than simply deciding not to think about it. Our memories influence our expectations: after betrayal we may expect everyone to disappoint us; after failure we may stop taking healthy risks. Naming that pattern is the beginning of changing it. The problem isn’t simply remembering. It’s the way the past keeps influencing the present.
We are living in the present, but still reacting to the past.
Escaping the Ghost of Egypt
Israel spent generations under slavery in Egypt. God heard their cries, led them through the Red Sea, and rescued them from Pharaoh’s army. Their slave masters were defeated. They were free. Exodus 14 records a genuine deliverance, and Exodus 15 records their celebration. Yet freedom from an external oppressor did not mean every fearful response disappeared immediately. That distinction matters for us: a relationship can end without immediately ending the fear it caused; a past mistake can be forgiven while our thoughts still need to be renewed.
Then decades later, after crossing the Jordan River, Israel camped at Gilgal. God declared in Joshua 5:9 that He had rolled away the reproach of Egypt.
You can have a Red Sea moment and still be haunted by Egypt.
In Numbers 14:4, the Israelites had even talked about going back to Egypt. Their former oppressors were gone, but fear continued to influence their decisions. Sometimes we inherit painful patterns we didn’t create. Anger can become the language of a household. Distrust can travel through relationships. Shame can teach us to remain silent. Acknowledging these patterns is not the same as blaming everyone who came before us; it means deciding that the next generation deserves something healthier. We can begin by telling the truth, seeking wise support, apologizing where needed, and practicing different choices. What haunted us does not have to be what we hand down.
Two rivers. Two crossovers.
Red Sea: God brought them OUT of slavery.
Jordan River: God brought them IN to the promise.
Ghosts refuse to cross over. They remain stuck in what was.
What would it look like to stop responding to yesterday’s fears and take one faithful step with God today? The Red Sea pictures coming out of what enslaved us. The Jordan River pictures moving into what God has ahead. Ask yourself two concrete questions: What do I need to leave behind? And what good thing have I been putting off because the past still frightens me? Your next step could be a long-overdue conversation, a boundary, a request for prayer, or a decision to begin following Jesus.
Jesus makes you brand new.
A new birth – John 3:3. Jesus says we must be born again. What happened in your first life does not have to be the final word.
A new identity – 2 Corinthians 5:17. In Christ, you are a new creation. Your worst mistake does not get to name you. Being in Christ is not just a better self-image. Paul describes a new creation, an identity grounded in what Jesus has done rather than in our record of successes and failures.
A renewed mind – Romans 12:2. God transforms us as He renews our thinking. This renewal is ongoing: we notice an old reaction, test it against God’s truth, and choose a new response. Prayer, Scripture, trusted relationships, and deliberate action can become part of that process.
“I am making everything new!” – Revelation 21:5
Will you follow Him?
Jesus calls us to stop following the voices of shame and fear and start following Him.
Three steps you can take today
1. Red Sea moment – Come out
Bring sin, shame, or fear into the light of Jesus. Rather than hiding behind another promise to try harder, speak honestly to Him about what is keeping you captive. If you have never chosen to follow Jesus, this can be your moment to begin.
2. Break the silence – Start a conversation
Speak to someone trustworthy. Ask for prayer and support. You might say, ‘Something from my past is still affecting my choices, and I don’t want to keep carrying it alone.’ For deep trauma or persistent distress, professional counseling can be a helpful part of healing.
3. Jordan River moment – Cross over
Choose one step of obedience rather than remaining stuck in yesterday. Make the step specific enough to take this week. Call the person. Ask for help. Make the appointment. Begin the habit. Let what Jesus is calling you toward shape your next decision.
Get the Free Haunted House Field Guide
What’s been haunting you? Regret, fear, destructive habits and painful memories can influence how you think, respond and live, sometimes without you noticing the pattern.
Our free Field Guide to the Monsters Within explores eight common struggles with Bible-centered reflection questions, encouragement, and specific steps toward following Jesus. Use it personally or work through it with someone you trust.
Frequently asked questions about letting go of the past
How can I let go of regret and shame through faith in Jesus?
Letting go of the past does not mean denying what happened. Start by naming the memory or regret and identifying how it affects decisions today. If you have sinned, bring it honestly to Jesus and seek forgiveness. If someone hurt you, take your pain seriously and consider support and healthy boundaries. Choose one specific step you can take this week – a conversation, a new habit, prayer with someone you trust, or counseling when appropriate.
What does the Bible say about letting go of the past and becoming a new person?
John 3:3 speaks of being born again; 2 Corinthians 5:17 describes new creation in Christ; Romans 12:2 teaches a renewed mind.
What does Gilgal mean in Joshua 5:9?
At Gilgal, God declared that He had rolled away Israel’s reproach associated with Egypt. The place’s name echoes that rolling away.
Can faith help with painful memories or trauma?
Christian faith can offer hope, prayer, and a caring community, but it is not a requirement to forget painful memories immediately. If trauma still affects sleep, relationships, or daily functioning, working with a qualified trauma-informed counselor can complement your spiritual support. Healing is a process, and taking appropriate steps to get help is worthwhile.
Where can I explore Christian faith in Plano, Texas?
Redemption Church Plano welcomes people exploring Jesus and the Bible. Sunday worship is at 4:30 PM at 2001 Independence Parkway, Plano, TX 75075.
A note from Pastor Chris
We’ve all got stories and regrets we wish we could bury. I know what it is to replay a choice and wish I could go back. But I believe Jesus offers us more than a command to forget yesterday. He gives us a new identity and invites us to take the next faithful step. You can ask honest questions here. You don’t have to pretend you have everything figured out before you visit Redemption Church. If this message brings up questions about faith or your next step, I’d love to hear from you.
Continue growing
Keep Moving Forward: Explore Legacy Code
What you live becomes what you leave. After facing old wounds and unhealthy patterns, what would it look like to build a different future?
Legacy Code explores faith, character, generosity and love that outlast us. Explore practical messages and a free Christian workbook about breaking unhealthy cycles and blessing those who come after us.
Your next step can begin here
Redemption Church Plano meets Sundays at 4:30 PM. Come explore faith, meet people, and learn to find and follow Jesus.
Pastor Chris Fluitt
Pastor Chris Fluitt serves Redemption Church in Plano, Texas. He helps people take honest next steps toward Jesus.