Putting Your Past Behind You: Finding Hope for Life's Deepest Hurts

by Erwin W. Lutzer

Alcoholism. Child Abuse. Divorce. Gluttony. Abortion. Homosexuality. Sexual Addictions. Is there a place to begin again? No one can go back to the starting line in the race of life. What's done is done. But we are not tied to our past mistakes. By following God's instructions and allowing Him to salve our wounds, we can be freed from the weight of guilt, regret, and bitter heartache.

In Putting Your Past Behind You , Dr. Lutzer explains what the Bible says about God's role in the process of separating hurting and discouraged people from their pasts. Come to understand that your trial, addiction, or injustice is not uncommon to man. You aren't facing your hurt alone. God is faithfully standing ready to help, and He almost always uses His people to share in His work of restoration and healing. Many others have struggled with the pain you are feeling. And many have traveled beyond the pain to become blessed servants of Christ. Others have put a past just like yours behind them; you can, too.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian

168 pages, Paperback

First published July 6, 1997

About the author

Erwin W. Lutzer is senior pastor of The Moody Church in Chicago. A graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary and Loyola University, he is the author of numerous books, including the Gold Medallion Award winner "Hitler's Cross" and the best seller "One Minute After You Die". He is also a teacher on radio programs heard on more than 700 stations throughout the United States and the world, including "Songs in the Night," "The Moody Church Hour," and the daily feature "Running to Win." He and his wife, Rebecca, live in the Chicago area and have three married children and seven grandchildren.

Reviews

[Heather Racey · Rating 5 out of 5]

How fascinating! Lutzer manages to address two categories of people who are often diverted to opposite ends of the spectrum: the victim and the aggressor, the sinner and the sinned-against. This was a bit tricky at times when Lutzer would often divert to a line of thinking that includes caveats for consequences of sin. If you’re reading it as a victim, this may be taken the wrong way until you realize that he is addressing those trying to break free from the bonds of addictive behaviors.

Otherwise, Lutzer makes the connection most affectively: sin begets sin, brokenness begets brokenness. Both categories of people can be addressed together because they both follow similar patterns of shame. The victim of abuse may live in cycles of shame that prevent full healing or motivates the victim to seek out similar treatment… or even replicating the sin against others. The man living in adultery may live in the cycle of shame which motivates him to keep his sin hidden and, thus, unresolved. The same gospel redeems both people: the abuser and the abused. This may be offensive to some, but it is such an important message.

God saves everyone.

I found the most practical advice in the earlier chapters as Lutzer addressed the cycles of brokenness. I particularly appreciated his chapter on breaking sexual bonds. He put a high emphasis on prayer, fasting, and Scripture meditation in later chapters as the solution to ultimate healing, but as he walked through, Lutzer made sure to cover the practical such as: ending and putting distance in relationships, uncovering your sin to others for support and restoration, and how to forgive. I was thankful that he differentiated between forgiveness and reconciliation. One is required, the other is not always possible.

I was disappointed by his lack of information on when to go to authorities or pursue justice on earth, though in his later book, “When You’ve Been Wronged” he does address it and give more clarity.

Altogether, an uplifting and hopeful read, particularly for those who have committed grievous sin against others and are looking to change.

[Larry White · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cultural Perils from the Personal Perspective

Erwin Lutzer always is an engaging writer, and a prolific one at that. Having read several of his books on Christian concerns in our ever more secular culture, I was eager for his next work, which I understood to be forthcoming. “Putting Your Past Behind You”, while recently republished, was first published in 1990 and 1997, and it’s unclear that it has been updated. Although still relevant, I’m not sure that it adds much.

My favorites among Lutzer’s many books are those that deal with the broad faith issues of a rapidly secularizing culture. His insights are compelling in these several books. The present book focuses on a more personal level. Everyone has past sinful behaviors, often related to the cultural perils Lutzer examines so effectively in these other books, that are difficult to release. “Putting Your Past Behind You” is aimed at the personal perspective of dealing with past, and present, failures. While very well done, many others have dealt with this important topic, and I prefer Lutzer’s broader insights on the faith assaults in postmodern culture.

[Leroy Zumack · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Chaplin in prison I found it helpful he explains how people get into messes and worse and how Christ can free them. Good stories and practical advice.

[Adrienne Servis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the book Erwin W. Lutzer wrote. After leading a group of praying parents for over 12 years and reading many books, I found this one different than the rest. He took the time to describe events he went through and make it easy to carry around for praying any time. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of the launch team.

[Wannie Michelmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book covers dysfunctions in the human lives, sins committed to us and to others, traumas and how we heal through forgiveness and releasing of our past hurts and memories. A good read.