If we’re honest with ourselves, most of us can pinpoint the things in our lives that need to go — old habits, painful memories, or relationships that no longer align with God’s best. Yet letting go isn’t easy. Sometimes we don’t leave things behind because we don’t want to feel “not nice,” or because it doesn’t seem “that bad.” We cling to what feels familiar, what keeps the peace, or what seems safe, even when holding on quietly pulls us away from God’s plan.
God calls us to something greater: righteous obedience over comfort and familiarity. In Isaiah 43:18–19, He says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!”
This wasn’t just poetic encouragement — in context, God was reminding His people, who had been through exile and loss, to release their fear, disappointment, and attachment to what was familiar so they could embrace the new work He was doing. They had to stop looking back at what had been and step forward into the blessing God had prepared.
For us today, the principle is the same. Letting go isn’t a loss — it’s positioning yourself for God’s best. It’s choosing to trust Him with your past, your relationships, and your comfort zones so He can do a new work in your life. Holding on keeps you stuck; forgetting and stepping forward invites God’s favor, blessing, and purpose.
15 Powerful Bible Examples of Letting Go of the Past
1. Lot’s Wife
Lot’s wife looked back toward the life God told her to leave, showing how dangerous it is when our hearts stay attached to what God already freed us from — which is why Jesus Himself said, “Remember Lot’s wife,” reminding us that we can’t move forward while longing for what God asked us to release (Genesis 19:26; Luke 17:32).
2. Abraham Leaving Home
When God told Abraham to leave his country and family, his obedience positioned him to receive promises he could never have accessed while staying comfortable — a faith the New Testament celebrates as trusting God even when you can’t see the full picture yet (Genesis 12:1; Hebrews 11:8–10).
3. Moses Rejecting Egyptian Comfort
Moses walked away from Pharaoh’s palace and the identity he was raised in, choosing God’s purpose over earthly privilege — and the New Testament highlights this as choosing eternal identity over temporary comfort, something all believers must learn to do (Exodus 2; Hebrews 11:24–26).
4. Ruth Walking Away From Her Past
Ruth left her homeland and everything familiar, and her obedience positioned her to be grafted into the lineage of Jesus — something she didn’t earn, but a blessing God added because she moved forward when staying was easier (Ruth 1:16–17; Matthew 1:5).
5. Elisha Burning His Plow
Elisha burned his plow and sacrificed his oxen the moment Elijah called him, showing that some callings require a complete break from the old — a truth Jesus affirms when He says no one who looks back is fit for the kingdom (1 Kings 19:19–21; Luke 9:62).
6. Gideon Tearing Down His Father’s Altar
Gideon tore down his father’s altar to Baal, showing that obedience sometimes requires confronting patterns we inherited — and the New Testament echoes this when it tells us to cast down anything that rises against the knowledge of God (Judges 6:25–27; 2 Corinthians 10:4–5).
7. The Disciples Dropping Their Nets
The disciples dropped their nets, left their boats, and even left their father to follow Jesus, living out His teaching that loving Him requires holding earthly comfort loosely so your hands are free for purpose (Matthew 4:18–22; Matthew 10:37).
8. Matthew Leaving His Tax Booth
Matthew walked away from a wealthy, secure career the moment Jesus said, “Follow Me,” showing that when God calls you forward, you can’t cling to what was keeping you in place — a posture the New Testament calls “denying yourself” (Luke 5:27–28; Matthew 16:24).
9. Noah Standing Alone
Noah obeyed God even when his entire generation mocked him, which is why the New Testament honors him as a “preacher of righteousness” — reminding us that sometimes obedience means standing firm even when you feel misunderstood or alone (Genesis 6–7; 2 Peter 2:5).
10. Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego Refusing to Bow
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego left behind the cultural safety of their homeland and the security of fitting in with Babylonian expectations to honor God. By refusing to bow to the idol, they let go of the “normal” and familiar path everyone around them was taking — a pattern of faithfulness the New Testament encourages when it calls us to flee idolatry and cling to God alone (Daniel 3:16–18; 1 Corinthians 10:14).
11. Esther Choosing Courage Over Comfort
Esther risked the comfort and safety of her royal life to step into God’s purpose for her people. She had to leave the security of neutrality and familiarity behind, trusting God to guide her through uncertainty — an act of letting go that mirrors how we’re called to release control and step into God’s plan (Esther 4:14–16; Hebrews 4:16).
12. Jesus Leaving His Family and Home
Even Jesus, who was fully God, modeled the cost of obedience when He said, “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:37–38).
He left the comfort of home, His family ties, and societal expectations to fully carry out the Father’s mission. This wasn’t a lack of love for His family — it was a perfect example of righteous priority: God first, even when it costs what feels familiar or safe.
For us today, it’s a reminder that letting go of even good things, or people we love, may be necessary to fully follow God. Sometimes obedience asks us to step into uncertainty, release attachments, and trust that God will provide the provision, protection, and purpose we need. Holding on to what feels “normal” can subtly keep us from the blessings God wants to bring.
13. David Leaving the Sheep to Step Into God’s Plan
David was a shepherd, tending sheep in quiet obscurity, unaware that God was preparing him to be king. When Samuel anointed him, David had to leave behind the safety of his past and the familiarity of home life to step into a future filled with uncertainty, danger, and responsibility (1 Samuel 16:11–13).
14. Paul Leaving His Past as a Pharisee
Paul once clung tightly to his identity, education, and reputation as a Pharisee, even persecuting the church. But on the road to Damascus, God called him to let go of his former life and fully follow Him. Paul released pride, security, and control, and in doing so, became one of the greatest messengers of God’s kingdom (Acts 9:1–6; Philippians 3:7–8).
15. Joseph Letting Go Through Betrayal and Imprisonment
Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, and imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit. Yet he chose to release bitterness and trust God’s plan, ultimately stepping into a future that restored his family and saved many lives (Genesis 50:19–20).