There’s a reason the windshield in your vehicle is bigger than the rearview mirror: where you’re going needs more of your attention than where you’ve been.

Too many men are trying to move forward while constantly staring backward. They’re still living under the weight of an old failure, addiction, divorce, crime, rejection, broken relationship, abuse, or something they deeply regret.

This episode has a particularly strong message for men who feel trapped by failure, addiction, broken relationships, incarceration, or simply years of bad decisions.

In this episode of the Sharpening Men Podcast, Tom talks about one of the most important truths a man can understand: your past may explain where you’ve been, but it does not have to determine where you’re going.

2 Corinthians 5:17 says that if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature. That isn't positive thinking or simply believing in yourself. Our hope is in Jesus Christ, and genuine newness is possible in Him.

Following Jesus doesn't magically erase the consequences of yesterday. Broken trust may take time to rebuild. Damaged relationships may take time to heal. Some consequences may remain. But you can still make a different decision today.

You can become dependable.
You can become sober.
You can become honest.
You can become faithful.
You can become responsible.
You can become patient.

You don't have to spend the rest of your life proving everybody's negative opinion of you correct.

Today's Challenge: Identify one thing from your past that is still controlling a decision you're making today. Then ask yourself: If my past didn't get to make this decision, what would obedience to God look like today?

Then do that.

One decision. One act of obedience. One step forward.

Join Us Saturday - If this message hits close to home, there is a chair for you at the Sharpening Men Breakfast.

We meet every Saturday at 9:00 a.m. in the back building/fellowship hall at Ruddle Road Church of God, 1400 S. Ruddle Rd., Blytheville, AR 72315.

The breakfast is completely FREE and open to men age 18 and older.

Whether your story includes addiction, jail, divorce, failure—or maybe you simply know you're not yet the man you need to be—come as you are and come willing to grow.

🌐 Visit SharpeningMen.org
📧 Email Tom at tom@sharpeningmen.org
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📲 Share this episode with one man whose past has convinced him that his future is already decided.

Your past does not have to be your future.

Nobody gets sharp alone.