“Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.”
- Isaiah 43:18
One thing we all have in common is that we all have a past. Another thing we have in common is an Enemy that will do his best to use our past to cripple our hearts, steal our joy and sabotage our future. So many are, as the U2 song title describes, “Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of.” Regret over past mistakes, guilt for past sins and bitterness from past wounds rob us of the “life to the full” that Jesus promised (John 10:10).
After being betrayed by his own brothers, falsely accused and imprisoned in Egypt, lied to and forgotten, Joseph was rescued by God. He was released from prison and raised to a powerful position in Egypt. Eventually, he had a son, Manasseh, which means “For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father’s house” (Genesis 41:51). Charles Swindoll has pointed out that this does not mean that God blocked Joseph’s painful memories, but rather removed the sting from the memories. His painful past did not define the rest of his life, and he didn’t allow himself to get stuck in a moment he couldn’t get out of.
It’s hard work, takes time and – occasionally – help from spiritual friends or counselors, but is worth it to put the past in its place – behind us.
The obvious observation is don’t stick your finger where it doesn’t belong, in someone elses mouth. But also, we do have a third thing in common, a Father. A Father who loves us and will test us from time to time. Like Charlie biting his brother. It was not done with malice or intent to harm but his brother learned a valuable lesson. Don’t put your finger in someone elses mouth. Father sometimes puts us in situations, trials or seasons, that are intended for us to mature and or grow. He is injecting His character in us. Molding that piece of clay like a potter and sometimes it gets messy. Let’s not miss an opportunity to grow in Christ by giving the enemy credit for EVERY “bad” thing that happens. Rather than ask “why” is this happening to me? Let’s ask “what” is Father trying to teach me? What does Father want to grow and mature in me for this season and beyond?
Remember Jonah? He thought he could run from God but he didn’t realize that God was willing to put a storm in his path to stop him. Also realize that by running from Father’s will Jonah put many lives in harm’s way. God was willing to sink a ship to get Jonah’s attention. How many lives our we putting in harm’s way by not being obedient when we hear Father’s voice and he allows us a glimpse of His will for our lives?
Good stuff, David. Thank you for sharing!
I’ve always said, “we all have a past”. No one doesn’t have a few regrets about something in their past. And you’re sure right about not letting those things define who we are for the rest of our life. That’s like a butterfly continuing to let the catapiller phase of their life rob them of the joy of being a butterfly.