Meet the "Knew" You

Meet the Knew You: Recognize and Own Your Past Mistakes, Unlock Your Future Potential

When we own our past, then we can keep from letting it define us now. Are you the same person? Have you learned from those choice? We're known by One who sees us fully – past, present, and future. God knew you before you were formed (Jeremiah 1:5), before any choices shaped your story. You don't have to be chained to regrets or shame. You can improve, step forward, and live into the hope and future He has for you (Jeremiah 29:11). Let's unpack this hopeful path together!

Stop the Internal Scripts: From Shame to Self-Knowledge

We all carry those recurring thoughts of regret and shame from old choices. What if we flipped that? Ask: What was that old me trying to protect or provide? Looking back at a photo of myself at five years old, I see the "good girl," the baby of the family, adopted and saved from neglect and abuse. I grew up and craved being wanted, chosen, loved. My sister was vibrant, popular, always had a boyfriend. I wanted to be wanted too, and ended up making choices at 15½ that led to a baby, then a teen-age marriage.

My parents shielded me from the whispers – "She should be ashamed, she should apologize and let the other teens know she was wrong." I didn't have to face the shame head-on. No regret then, but later? My pride and lack of self-control took over, and I lost everything. I decided that I would crush the head of my enemy (the anxiety, pride, fear) as I overcome the dysfunction from the trauma I had endured as a child. I wanted to change and be a role-model of health and healing; Jonathan Safran Foer's poem says, "Sometimes I can hear my bones straining under the weight of all the lives I'm not living." That would NOT be the epitaph on my gravestone!

Sound familiar? Then you need to name it, and feel it – you have to feel to heal. Then repent- turn away from the choices that keep you regretting the past; hold compassion for your old self and make new, value-driven choices. Thrivers don't hide and stay stuck in the past– we own it and fly into our potential!

You're Known and Wonderful – Let's Draw Your Best-Self Out 

Psalm 139:1 declares, "Lord, you have searched me and you know me." We're fearfully and wonderfully made. Search yourself: "Try me and see if there's anything in me that needs to change." Our hearts are deep waters (Proverbs 20:5) – we need help from others to draw out our motives and dreams.

Narrow your core values to three (love, acceptance, integrity?). Past choices protected them poorly – now meet them anew. Lonely? Choose to enjoy yourself. God chooses you. Share a joyful moment, snap a pic for friends. Own your story upfront – no hiding shame or regrets. Accept that it was your past, not the new you now.

Ask, Seek, Knock: What Will You Regret Not Doing?

My mom and dad taught us: "There are no stupid questions – only the ones you don't ask." Let's ask as we look to the future.

Journal Prompt: What will my future self regret not doing? 

Don't die with your dream inside, like Les Brown's graveyard of unwritten books, unsung songs, undiscovered cures. Please think about your future self and write it down this week: What's the first step to help your potential fly? How can you encourage others too? That's joyful living!

Sneak peek: Next week, Michele Roys will share from her book, But You Look Just Fine – come listen to how she processed the unseen illness, slow acceptance, and tools for joy in ordinary moments. 

Remember, you are known, chosen, wonderfully made. Own the past, choose a new path, and fly into your future.

Journal Prompt: What's one shame or regret you're releasing today? Share with someone and let's cheer each other on!

Core values list, discussion prompts, and full training replay are available for CoJoy members. Join Here