What causes a person to dwell on the past and how do you fix being stuck in it?

God doesn't want us to hold on to burdens. When we follow Christ and he forgives us, we need to give him 100% of our burdens, not 99.9%. He wants it all. Complete surrender of our burdens. Yes, that can take time and prayer, but it is worth it. It's important to understand that holding onto the past, can have several psychological and emotional consequences. Here are some key points to consider:

Holding on to the past, creates an emotional burden. And clinging to past experiences, especially negative ones, can lead to ongoing feelings of sadness, anger, or resentment. This emotional burden takes a toll on our health and well-being. It also hinders our personal growth and happiness in Christ.

Grieving people tend to isolate, because of fear and judgement. Isolation then becomes familiar. Believe it or not, grievers also become loyal to the pain, because it's familiar. Another reason someone holds on to their pain is for protection, but the lesson just teaches us to be more cautious and on our toes, the next time we come across challenges, so no need to hold on to them. That can become a very bad habit and keep us trapped to certain ways of thinking or behaving, making it difficult to break free from patterns of dwelling on the past.

There's other reasons why people hold on to the past, as well, but that's not to say it's healthy. It's not. It tears us down inside, little by little and that's why we need to confess it, let God forgive us, forgive ourselves and move on.

Many find comfort in the familiar, even if that familiarity is rooted in negative experiences. Holding onto the past can provide a sense of predictability and control in an uncertain world.

People often long for positive past experiences, seeking to recapture a sense of comfort, security, or belonging.

Unresolved feelings, such as guilt, regret, or anger, can keep people fixated on past events.

Dwelling on the past can be a way to avoid the unknown or potential for future pain or disappointment.

Holding on to the past, can become dangerous to us and our health, because it becomes a psychological payoff, giving us a sense of entitlement, justice, or validation, even if it means dwelling on negative experiences.

Past experiences, both positive and negative, can shape a person's identity and self-perception, making it difficult to let go of certain memories or lessons.

Holding onto resentments, even after the initial trigger has passed, can be a way to maintain a sense of power or control over a situation or person.

This is the hardest one for people to accept. This one, Dr. Phil always mentions on his show. There's a powerful psychological payoff for holding onto the past, no matter what form it takes: it allows people to avoid personal responsibility. When you can blame external circumstances for your problems, you can then turn all your resentment and anger on others.

If we want to let go of the past, we must receive the valuable lessons from it, so we can then move forward.

Most people get stuck in the past, because they think it predicts the future. They feel destined to repeat the same mistakes, so they wallow in the past, instead of learning value of it.

We can find help and comfort from being stuck in the past, by focusing on Christ, fellowshipping with God, praying, reading His Word and surrounding ourselves with positive people. They know that what you focus on, you feel. The energy you put out into the world, is what you get back. And who you surround yourself with, is who you become. Letting go of the past is much more difficult, if you are around people who constantly remind you about it. And last but not least, stay away from toxic people that bring negativity to your life. Choose good friends. Not ones you know will use you.