When we look back
0 views
Skip to first unread message
Jacob
Jul 23, 2010, 9:07:07 PM7/23/10
to ChristLife
Many people are scared of looking back at their lives because that
would bring up painful memories of failures or hurtful treatment by
others. They unconsciously use different mental tricks to prevent
these memories from coming up. What they don't realise is that such
memories work deeply in our mind and distort our attitudes, thinking
and behaviour. Then we can't become the successful persons that we are
capable of becoming. We also suffer from problems that have not only
mental but also physical and spiritual implications. For example,
those who have faced severe insults in their childhood may keep
themselves aloof from people, hoping to avoid further insults. Those
who were harassed by their parents about their performance may live in
fear of coming short of perfection. Those who have been abused
sexually may have a twisted view of life and people.
But we Christians have the unique advantage of being in a position to
deal with the past squarely, get rid of its chains, and go forward
enjoying life and liberty. When Jesus came down to Earth, He
proclaimed liberty to the captives (Lk.4:18,19). This liberty is not
just from the guilt of sin but also from the power of sin (our sin or
sin that is in the world) (Ro.6:14).
Usually the process involves 1) acknowledging exactly what has
happened to us, 2) asking God for forgiveness of our own sin,
3)forgiving those who have harmed us, 4) giving up bitter attitudes
against God for 'allowing' us to go through such experiences, and 5)
receiving the total and unconditional acceptance God gives us. As we
surrender ourselves to God, the Holy Spirit can minister to our
deepest parts.
It takes honesty, sincerity and courage to look at our past hurts just
as they happened. We need to understand how they happened, what roles
we and other people played in them and, if possible, how they have
affected us now. We may need to stop blaming ourselves for what others
have done to us, and at the same time admit what all we have done
wrong. We can then receive forgiveness for ourselves and also forgive
the others.
Many people blame God for what has happened, thinking that He could
have prevented it. But when evil people choose to misuse the freedom
of choice He has given them, they are at fault and not He. If we have
had such complaints against God we can repent now and get a new
attitude towards Him.
The Gospel is that God accepts us just as we are when we go to Him in
our need (Mt.11:28). Messed up ones, oppressed and downtrodden ones
and slaves to sin are all welcome to receive a complete salvation from
Him (1Co.6:9-11). He is an expert at turning things around, making
something good come out of the worst things that have happened to us
(Ro.8:28). He gives us fresh starts in life (Re.21:5). If He could
turn a Mary Magdalene with 7 demons into a saint, there is nothing
impossible with Him (Lk.1:37). When we receive this free cleansing and
acceptance from God, we can lift up our heads, live boldly, and fulfil
His plans for our lives (Je.29:11).
would bring up painful memories of failures or hurtful treatment by
others. They unconsciously use different mental tricks to prevent
these memories from coming up. What they don't realise is that such
memories work deeply in our mind and distort our attitudes, thinking
and behaviour. Then we can't become the successful persons that we are
capable of becoming. We also suffer from problems that have not only
mental but also physical and spiritual implications. For example,
those who have faced severe insults in their childhood may keep
themselves aloof from people, hoping to avoid further insults. Those
who were harassed by their parents about their performance may live in
fear of coming short of perfection. Those who have been abused
sexually may have a twisted view of life and people.
But we Christians have the unique advantage of being in a position to
deal with the past squarely, get rid of its chains, and go forward
enjoying life and liberty. When Jesus came down to Earth, He
proclaimed liberty to the captives (Lk.4:18,19). This liberty is not
just from the guilt of sin but also from the power of sin (our sin or
sin that is in the world) (Ro.6:14).
Usually the process involves 1) acknowledging exactly what has
happened to us, 2) asking God for forgiveness of our own sin,
3)forgiving those who have harmed us, 4) giving up bitter attitudes
against God for 'allowing' us to go through such experiences, and 5)
receiving the total and unconditional acceptance God gives us. As we
surrender ourselves to God, the Holy Spirit can minister to our
deepest parts.
It takes honesty, sincerity and courage to look at our past hurts just
as they happened. We need to understand how they happened, what roles
we and other people played in them and, if possible, how they have
affected us now. We may need to stop blaming ourselves for what others
have done to us, and at the same time admit what all we have done
wrong. We can then receive forgiveness for ourselves and also forgive
the others.
Many people blame God for what has happened, thinking that He could
have prevented it. But when evil people choose to misuse the freedom
of choice He has given them, they are at fault and not He. If we have
had such complaints against God we can repent now and get a new
attitude towards Him.
The Gospel is that God accepts us just as we are when we go to Him in
our need (Mt.11:28). Messed up ones, oppressed and downtrodden ones
and slaves to sin are all welcome to receive a complete salvation from
Him (1Co.6:9-11). He is an expert at turning things around, making
something good come out of the worst things that have happened to us
(Ro.8:28). He gives us fresh starts in life (Re.21:5). If He could
turn a Mary Magdalene with 7 demons into a saint, there is nothing
impossible with Him (Lk.1:37). When we receive this free cleansing and
acceptance from God, we can lift up our heads, live boldly, and fulfil
His plans for our lives (Je.29:11).
B A Berean
Jul 24, 2010, 3:02:17 PM7/24/10
to ChristLife
I heard a man of God once say...
"God loves us so much that He accepts us just as we are...
but God loves us WAY TOO MUCH to let us stay that way!!!
"God loves us so much that He accepts us just as we are...
but God loves us WAY TOO MUCH to let us stay that way!!!
Kenneth Regan
Jul 24, 2010, 10:45:17 PM7/24/10
to chris...@googlegroups.com
| And all God's children say.....Amen. --- On Sat, 7/24/10, B A Berean <rob...@spreadsheetpower.com> wrote: |
|
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages