Moving Forward
Pressing On: Moving Forward in FaithLife is a journey filled with moments of triumph and trials, joy and hardship, certainty and doubt. There are times when everything seems to be falling into place, and other times when the road ahead feels impossible to navigate. It’s in those difficult moments that we face a choice: to give up or to press on.
The Bible is filled with encouragement to keep going, keep trusting, and keep pressing on—no matter what stands in our way. One of the most powerful verses on perseverance is Philippians 3:13-14:“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Letting Go of the Past Paul reminds us that in order to move forward, we must let go of the past. This doesn’t mean ignoring or forgetting what we’ve been through, but rather not allowing past failures, regrets, or even past successes to hold us back.
Too often, we cling to past mistakes, replaying them in our minds and allowing them to define us. But God’s grace is greater than our past. He calls us to learn from it, grow from it, and then move forward.• If you’ve made mistakes, God offers forgiveness.• If you’ve experienced heartbreak, God offers healing.• If you’ve faced disappointment, God offers renewal.You can’t reach for what’s ahead if you’re holding on to what’s behind.Straining Toward What Is AheadPaul uses the image of an athlete pressing forward toward the finish line. Faith is not a passive journey—it’s an active pursuit. Pressing on requires effort, endurance, and focus.There will be obstacles:• Delays that test your patience• Setbacks that challenge your confidence• Opposition that makes you question your purposeBut pressing on means choosing to keep going despite the difficulty. It means trusting that God is leading you, even when you don’t understand the path.
Fixing Our Eyes on the Prize Paul says that we press on toward the goal—and that goal is not earthly success, comfort, or approval. The ultimate prize is Jesus Himself and the eternal reward of being with Him.When we live with eternity in mind, it changes how we handle challenges. Temporary struggles lose their power when we remember the greater purpose God has for us.How to Keep Pressing On1. Stay Focused on God – Seek Him daily in prayer and His Word. His presence gives strength for the journey. (Isaiah 40:31)2.
Surround Yourself with Encouragement – Walk with others who remind you of God’s faithfulness. (Hebrews 10:24-25)3.
Remember God’s Promises – When you feel weary, hold onto His Word. He is faithful to complete what He started in you. (Philippians 1:6)4.
Take It One Step at a Time – You don’t have to see the whole path. Just take the next step in faith. (Psalm 119:105)
Final Encouragement Wherever you are today—whether facing struggles, feeling stuck, or unsure of what’s next—don’t give up. Keep moving forward, trusting that God is working even when you don’t see it. Press on. Keep believing. Keep trusting. The best is yet to come.“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9
What are you pressing on toward today?
How can you trust God more in this season?