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; so can you.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian

172 pages, Kindle Edition

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

[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.

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

(My book cover is different; has a leaf that's half brown & half green.)

This was better than the first book of his I read; "The Power of a Clear Conscience". Do think the author repeated some of that book into this one.

Thought he handled "forgiveness" well, along with some helpful advice for Christian readers.

[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.