Overcoming The Past
We all have a past. We’ve either done wrong in our past or have been hurt by someone in the past. At just the right time that past can come up and bite us when we least expect it causing pain, anger or sadness. We might see or hear something that triggers us and reminds us of a certain situation; or worse, the past never leaves our mind and is always there. Either way, if we do not allow God to heal us, which will help set us free from the past, we will remain in bondage to it forever as the enemy can and will utilize certain events to push our buttons causing us to be flooded with harmful emotions.
What does God say about the past?
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” (Isaiah 43:18)
When we dwell on the past, we are unable to enjoy what God has provided for us now. This is how the enemy steals our joy and all the good God is doing for us. God may be giving you your heart’s desire now, but if you remain stuck in the past, you either won’t see it or you won’t be able to enjoy it.
It’s not easy to forget the former things at times, especially when the hurt was deep or our wrongs were really bad. Or maybe the former things were a really good time for you but you’ve fallen on hard times and find yourself wandering back to the past, wishing things could be like they were then. Whatever your situation is, you can heal from it and enjoy what God is doing now for you. God has provided everything you need to heal. He has given you an armor to wear (Ephesians 6:10-18), weapons to defend yourself with, and a direct connection to Him for help.
“As for me, I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. He rescues me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me.” (Psalm 55:16-18)
He has provided the medicine (the means) to apply to your wounds through the Word of God. However, you have to read the Word and do what it says in order to be healed. God will heal you and restore you back to good health.
“17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. 18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. 19 The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; 20 he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.” (Psalm 34:17-20)
“3He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3)
2 O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. (Psalm 30:2)
What does it take for the healing to come? It takes several things:
1. Humbling yourself before God, confessing and repentance, and asking for His help.
2. Prayer – you must pray daily to the Lord which gets you connected to Him and He will provide the strength you need to get through the difficult times and will guide you in the direction you need to go and to remain on the right path.
3. Putting on your armor daily. You don’t go into a battle without your armor or you will quickly be killed. Your armor will protect your mind (helmet of salvation), heart (breastplate of righteousness) and feet (shoes of the gospel of peace). Truth (belt of truth) will hold your armor together. Faith (shield of faith) will protect you from the attacks.
4. Reading the Bible and utilizing it to defend yourself against the attacks of the mind. This is your weapon (sword of the Spirit) and it’s an important one. There is no use in having a weapon if you do not utilize it in self-defense. Whenever the past rises up to taunt you, combat it with the word of God, your sword. Find the scriptures that pertain to your situation and recite them out loud. We tend to remember things better when we say it aloud, plus it helps us to grasp the meaning better and it will stick with us. Also, the enemy cannot read your thoughts and if the Word of God is to be utilized to combat the enemy’s attack on your mind, it should be recited out loud.
5. Faith and Endurance (Perseverance). You must have faith that God will help you when you call out to Him and then you must be patient and endure until He comes to your rescue and helps you through it. When the battle gets tough or you feel like there is no change in your condition, this is where some people quit and reach for whatever comforts and soothes them. They don’t look at what God has helped them to accomplish thus far, but only look at what they are still struggling with. The addiction or emotional issue is not always the first thing to be removed. Other things that are causing it may be removed first. Remember, if you quit through the process, you will never see the ending and therefore prolong or never see the healing. Patient endurance, endure the attacks patiently.
6. Praise and worship. Praising and worshiping God during our battles can renew our strength. It not only glorifies God, but reminds us that He is in control and will rescue us. It helps keep our focus on God and it can break the oppression upon you:
“But I will sing of Your power; yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; for You have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble. To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; for God is my defense, the God of my mercy.” (Psalm 59:16)
“But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened.” (Acts 16:25-26)
You don’t have to stay in bondage to the past any longer. When you accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior and accepted His free gift of salvation, He set you free:
“36So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)
So you are free, but the enemy wants to keep you in bondage and he does this through mind games and reminding you of things that once hurt you. However, God has provided you what you need to remain free. You have to wear it and utilize it. The battle will be fierce in the beginning and you may get knocked down quite a few times, but once you continue training with what God has supplied you with, you will be standing more and getting knocked down less. Have faith and patience and healing will come.