Memories can be inspiration or create anxiety!
Most of our responses to situations in our life are formed in childhood that determine how we do life in this world.
Our outlook and behavior are colored to a degree by our ability to deal with events of the past. The good news is God can take the sting out of the past!
I’m so thankful for our Helper, the Holy Spirit! We need comfort and power to walk through the hurts and heartaches of this world. I have walked with God 45 years, and I still need help every day to overcome the pressure of this world.
I was reading John 14 today and the first verse, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.” A reminder, that I had a part to play in keeping my heart in a place where I could hear His voice, daily!
Peace in our life is the bedrock for facing memories that the enemy tries to use to choke the life from us causing anxiety and depression.
The Apostle Paul talked about this in Philippians at a time he was in prison. He had an abundance of time to think! Choosing what we think on is a key to peace.
Philippians 4:7 says, “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Walking in God’s peace is a sure protection from destructive thought patterns bombarding our mind.
Peace only comes as we learn to allow the Holy Spirit to be our Helper.
Philippians 4:8 tells us “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”
I feel Paul’s frustration in that word, finally! This is your part!
God gave you the gift of choice in the Garden. You have a choice about what you think on.
You can be humiliated, lied against, deceived and betrayed, and you can get over it when you cultivate a mindset that says, through Christ I can conquer the pressure of this world! (Romans 8:37).
As a born-again child of God, you have a helper, you are not alone. (John 16:7)
If you allow painful memories of the past to hang over you like a cloud, you will continue to be miserable in this world.
As I was murmuring about a situation in my life, God spoke to me one day, “shut up and be content!” Wow, that got my attention. I wanted sympathy. God knew that I needed truth.
I began to read and study Philippians because I knew that in Chapter 4, verse 11, Paul said “…I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.” It did not just happen, he had to learn to be content. He had to build his faith “in God,” trusting Him to know best and turn the situation into good.
After doing this for some time, one day a verse caught my attention! Philippians 3:13, states “…but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind…”
I said, “God how do I forget?” The enemy is always reminding me of everything I have done wrong! He instantly responded saying, “you remember!”
Remember, I thought…. He then said, “when you remember, you are choosing your thoughts!”
I got it! I choose what I am thinking about! Is it really that simple, YES!
One of my favorite verses is, 2 Corinthians 11:3, “But I fear, that somehow as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”
It is not hard to follow Jesus and live a Christ-centered life in this world. You must live intentionally on purpose! Use your gift of choice!
God has always been in the restoration business. It has always been His desire to restore to those created in His image to a right relationship with Himself. We are not meant to be burdened with painful memories that hinder our daily walk with God and experiencing His joy and peace.
The Word of God shares many testimonies of men and women who persevered in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. Do not rehearse the trauma or heartache of your past. God can bring healing to those memories as you meditate on His goodness and faithfulness.