I want to share with you a word that can transform your attitude, health, family and life. I want to encourage you to engage this word in your vocabulary so that you can begin to live a life of expectation.

The word is “forward.”

A lesson in forward is wrapped up in this passage of scripture:

Philippians 3:12-14: “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Let me share some basics about moving forward:

• Your hunger has to exceed your hesitation in order for you to go forward.
• You can’t move forward under your own strength.
• God has a habit of using those who haven’t arrived.

Here are three steps that I use to help me focus on moving forward:

Step #1: Forget the past

Most of us have allowed ourselves to get comfortable in our past. We approach life looking back at all of our faults and failures. We get comfortable, not wanting to change because of the uncertainty that change creates.

Someone once told me that when the pain of staying where you are becomes greater than the pain of change, we finally change.

A forward life has a big windshield and small rearview mirror.

Forgetting the past means more than just what you have done—it also means letting go of past hurts and wounds that you may have picked up along the way.

Step #2: Don’t get stuck in idle

Most people get stuck in idle because of fear or intimidation. God has equipped each believer to move past that.

2 Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

Remaining idle also robs us of three valuable investments God has entrusted to each of us—time, talent and treasure. We all should engage these resources at a level of investing our time, talent and treasure to benefit His kingdom and those around us.

Step #3: Press on

The windshield of a forward life is going to get covered with the bugs of life. This is where most people get discouraged and fall into the victim mentality.

You are going to face some staggering situations, some challenging circumstances, some rocky relationships and some financial fiascos. But God wants you to know that He has created you to move forward, overcoming all that is in front of you.

1 John 4:4: “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”