Letting go of our past can be one of the hardest things we face. It’s challenging, especially when we remember the memories we shared and the love we poured out, only to be met with rejection or even hate. The pain of giving your heart and receiving hurt instead can cut deeply. These moments stick with us, leaving scars that are hard to heal.
But God calls us to release these hurts, to let go of the pain, because He has something better for us. He promises us the joy, peace, and freedom that only He can give. While holding onto past wounds may feel like protecting ourselves, it often ends up trapping us in sadness and bitterness. God wants to lift that weight from us so we can experience true freedom.
As believers, we’re reminded that people will fail us, no matter how much they mean to us or how much we give. Human love, no matter how sincere, has limits. People are imperfect; they will let us down. But God’s love? It is endless, unfailing, and unchanging. This is why the Bible urges us to depend on Him, to place our hearts fully in His hands, where they are safe. Unlike people, God never disappoints. He sees every tear, knows every hurt, and wants to heal us from it.
So, let’s choose to trust in the one who will never break our hearts. Let’s choose to let go of the past, because what God has for us, His peace, His love, His joy, is far greater than any hurt we leave behind.
41 Bible verses on letting go of past hurt
1. Isaiah 43:18-19
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?”
2. Philippians 3:13-14
“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.”
3. Ephesians 4:31-32
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
4. Psalm 147:3
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
5. Matthew 6:14-15
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
6. Romans 12:18
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
7. Colossians 3:13
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
8. 1 Peter 5:7
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
9. Isaiah 61:1
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.”
10. Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
11. Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
12. Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
13. Romans 8:18
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
14. 2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
15. 1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
16. Psalm 103:12
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
17. Proverbs 4:25
“Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.”
18. Hebrews 12:1
“Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
19. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
“Love is patient, love is kind. … it keeps no record of wrongs.”
20. Micah 7:18-19
“You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.”
21. Lamentations 3:22-23
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
22. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
“The God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles.”
23. Romans 8:1
“There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
24. Psalm 55:22
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”
25. Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
26. Galatians 6:9
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
27. Psalm 23:3
“He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”
28. James 5:16
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.”
29. Psalm 139:23-24
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.”
30. Hebrews 13:5
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
31. Matthew 5:4
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
32. Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
33. Zechariah 9:12
“Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.”
34. Joel 2:25
“I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten.”
35. 1 Peter 4:8
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
36. John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
37. Psalm 46:10
“Be still, and know that I am God.”
38. Philippians 4:13
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
39. 2 Timothy 1:7
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.”
40. Psalm 51:10
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
41. 1 John 4:18
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.”
How to Move on And let go of Past Hurt
Letting go doesn’t mean forgetting; it means freeing yourself to live fully again. This journey won’t always be easy, but by taking small steps forward, you’ll find peace and healing waiting on the other side. Remember, you’re not defined by your past, you’re defined by how you choose to rise above it.
Moving on from past hurt isn’t easy. It’s a journey, not a quick fix. It can feel overwhelming, especially when the memories are painful and vivid. But taking that first step towards healing can make all the difference. Here’s a simple, human approach to help you move forward:
1. Acknowledge the Pain
It’s okay to feel hurt. Trying to ignore or bury the pain won’t make it go away, it’ll only build up inside. Give yourself permission to feel what you feel. Acknowledge the sadness, the disappointment, even the anger. This is the first step to healing.
2. Accept What You Can’t Change
Some things are beyond our control. We can’t change what happened, and we can’t change how others acted. When you accept that some things are out of your hands, it becomes easier to let go. Holding on to what we can’t change only keeps us stuck.
3. Forgive, Even if It’s Hard
Forgiveness isn’t about excusing someone’s hurtful behavior or pretending the pain didn’t happen. It’s about freeing yourself. When you forgive, you let go of the power that pain has over you. Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting; it just means releasing the hold of bitterness so you can find peace.
4. Focus on the Present
Dwelling on the past keeps us from living fully in the present. When you catch yourself getting stuck in past memories, bring yourself back to the present. Focus on what’s happening now, on the things and people who bring you joy today. Being mindful helps us move forward with a clear heart.
5. Learn from the Experience
Take what happened as a lesson. Maybe it’s taught you what to look for in relationships, how to set boundaries, or how to value yourself more. Instead of seeing your pain as wasted time, see it as a step toward becoming wiser and stronger.
6. Surround Yourself with Positivity
Spend time with people who uplift and encourage you. Seek out friends and family who genuinely care about you. Being around positive, understanding people can make the journey to healing feel lighter.
7. Trust in the Process
Moving on takes time, and that’s okay. Be gentle with yourself. Healing is not a race, and it’s normal to have days when you feel the weight of it all. Trust that, step by step, you’re moving closer to a place of peace.
8. Focus on Your Growth
Every struggle can help us grow. Use this experience to build a stronger, more resilient you. Pour energy into things that make you feel good, pursue a passion, learn something new, focus on your health. The more you invest in yourself, the less power the past has over you.
Short Prayer to Help You Move on and Let go of Past Hurt
Dear Heavenly Father,
I come before You, carrying the weight of past hurts, the pain that still lingers, and the memories that feel so heavy. I know You see every part of my heart, even the hidden, wounded places. Lord, I need Your strength to release this pain to You, because I know that holding onto it is holding me back from the life You have for me.
Father, I ask You to heal my heart. Where there is bitterness, pour in Your peace. Where there is anger, replace it with compassion. Where there is sadness, fill me with Your joy. Let Your love wash over me and cleanse me of all hurt, so I can move forward in freedom.
Teach me to forgive, as You have forgiven me. Even when it’s hard, help me to let go of resentment and give grace as freely as You give it to me. I know forgiveness is the path to healing, and with Your help, I release those who have hurt me into Your hands. You are the perfect Judge, and I trust that You will bring justice and peace.
Lord, help me to focus on the present and the future You have planned for me. Renew my mind and lift my spirit. Remind me that my worth is in You alone, not in what anyone else has said or done. Help me to see myself as You see me, loved, cherished, and whole.
Guide my steps, Lord, and fill me with new hope. Replace every wound with wisdom, every scar with strength. Let me walk in the freedom of Your love, knowing that I am never alone. Fill me with courage, joy, and a renewed heart ready to embrace the blessings You have in store.
Thank You, Father, for Your unending love, mercy, and grace. I surrender my past to You, trusting that You are making all things new. I walk forward with You, knowing that my future is bright in Your hands. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.
