I was sharing with someone today about some of my experiences growing up, and as I spoke of the past, I asked them if they would ever have thought I’d been through some of the things I was telling them. Their reply encouraged me as they said they would never have guessed anything of what I’d just shared with them. I took that as a big compliment as it indicates how much Jesus has walked with me to bring wholeness and healing to my life.
In our journey, we may experience some not very nice things. However, those experiences don’t need to keep defining who we are or our future. The pain of our memories and experiences doesn't need to become more real to us than the promises of God and the future hope we have in His plan for us.
But when we focus on our painful past and don't take the necessary steps to deal with any issues, our pain can be re-lived over and over, resulting in us getting ourselves emotionally, spiritually, and mentally into a mess. How we feel and think today is a sum total of what we thought and believed yesterday.
“A problem, therefore, arises when we constantly form our thoughts and purpose for our lives off our pasts instead of looking to God and what He has for us today and the future.
Neuroscience has discovered that every day we receive in our brains brand new baby neurons to use for the new day. God’s mercies are new every morning; even in our brains, He gives us a fresh start daily. (Lamentations 3:22-23)
If we choose to embrace the good and positive aspects of our day, learning from and leaving behind any of yesterday’s negative experiences, we can wake up every morning to a brand new future.
God wants us to live free and unhindered from the past. He says, “Let my word and its promises wash you clean and renew you. Replace yesterday’s mistakes and hurts with my promises about the future.”
Here are just a few of His promises to encourage you to look ahead today:
“Cast all your cares and anxiety upon Jesus for He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established”.(Proverbs 16:3)
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts”(Isaiah 55:8-9)
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32)
“And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)
“But one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13)
Today, instead of looking behind, look ahead and run into your day and the future!
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your promises and that my past doesn't need to negatively shape my future. Knowing you go before me, I can learn from and leave the past behind and look ahead. I hold onto your promises and believe what you say about my life today. In Jesus name Amen.
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