“There is no fear in love [dread does not exist]. But perfect (complete, full-grown) love drives out fear, because fear involves [the expectation of divine] punishment, so the one who is afraid [of God’s judgment] is not perfected in love [has not grown into a sufficient understanding of God’s love].”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:18‬ ‭AMP‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/1588/1jn.4.18.AMP

The darkness and shadow of the past in some lives seems to tell us we are not free. That’s a lie you must not believe. The past has happened and can’t be changed. Who you were, decisions and choices you made, things you’ve done, and whatever you said can’t be time traveled back to change it. Every thought that comes to hold you hostage in the past have to be spoken to and over with truth from you “ I cannot change the past but I can only control present time and work towards better future” Forgive yourself, forgive past, and forgive others. Don’t let the past play on your mental and emotional state. Fight back with affirmations, scriptures, and prayer. Flee from those thoughts, people, and things that makes you a slave to the past. You are free and it’s time you walk and live in your freedom.

For years, I battled with letting go of past hurt, feared my future based on my past experiences and mistakes, and I had nightmares from what my past overshadowed me with. It was when I come to understand God’s love, grace, and mercy more that helped me flee from the past. God’s love ❤️ forgives, welcomes you with warmth, doesn’t hold the past over you, gives you liberty, and loves you for you. When yesterday tries to lock me down, I remind myself and surround myself with others who remind me that grace and mercy overrides all that for freedom. So walk in your freedom is my encouragement to you. Be blessed.