Each one has our past; not all heavy nor causing a negative approach to life. Our past experiences were the greatest lessons that taught us to measure our ways more carefully.
The memories of our young adults often brought us back to the nostalgia of the good old days. It was during those times that everything appeared bright and beautiful. Although not the best of times, it fills our hearts with silent laughter at the silly mistakes and embarrassment that one can simply shake off.
Difficult past:
Then came the important part of our lives – the difficult years that shaped our lives. Some of the difficulties were a result of our bad decisions and turning away from God, while not all were. However, these difficulties taught us to be strong rather than vulnerable in life.
These parts of our past changed our perception of life. It becomes the time we search for real peace and comfort. Some of us took the wrong path, while some took moves closer to God, who strengthened our lives.
Heartbreaks and childhood trauma, poverty, and being unable to find the right way may define this period for some of us. We’re all alike in one way or another.
The important part of the difficult past:
During this period, although we resort to wandering away from God, the Lord God is always merciful at a time we have become unfaithful to him. I found myself in this period sometime in my life.
Yet the merciful God sent a hand to bring me out of this pit. It is a reminder of his great care and love. Even when I resent him in my mind for bringing me to this chaotic world, the Lord God took pride in redeeming me, who was unfaithful and not worthy of his love.
He made himself known to me more than ever in this period of life. It made me realize that I always have him by my side, not by my goodness, but in his abiding grace. Isai. 43:14-17
Don’t dwell on the past:
Dwelling on the past took a heavy toll on me. It caused me nightmares, unable to sleep at night despite all the prayers of my parents. Once it is over, I tend to revisit the past of myself, sometimes others close to me, which gave me more pain.
There were many things I needed to let go of regarding the past. I don’t want to remember them anymore; there were the consequences I needed to bear because of my actions, which displeased the Lord God.
I was often taken to the word of God through the prophet Isaiah, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isai. 43:18-19
My focus is now on the new things, the water in the wilderness, the upside of my adversity, and light at the end of the tunnel.
Our past concerns:
Then we moved on to the next episode of life. We do not want others to experience the same mistakes. Our concerns for others did not find a place in others’ hearts.
From persecutor of the believers to the bearer of the gospel, there were many accounts of real stories that we have heard about. Further, I believe there will be many stories coming up in the near future, as the Holy Spirit keeps working on the hearts of people.
The apostle Paul, on several occasions, wrote to the early churches that he regretted his past, but still God chose him to be his steward of the Gospel. In his messages, he clearly knew that God canceled our record of debt by nailing it to the cross. Further, Jesus Christ even became the curse for us. Col. 2:14, Gal. 3:13
Past to Praise:
It is in our instinct to cause sorrow to others due to our severe concern for them, as we often see in our way, which is not yet clear to others. This is the complexity of the human mind. However, the work of the spirit is beyond the complexity of the human mind.
We tend to make things more complex than they tend to be without relying on the grace of God. The Apostle Paul is happy that the Corinthians will understand it that way. 2 Cor. 7:8-10
When we came to Christ, the past is as far from the east as it is to the west. When we understand and accept complete forgiveness, it becomes a beautiful hymn praising God for His compassion, unfailing love, and mercy. Psalms 103
Purpose of the past:
There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. Rom. 8:1 We were no longer aliens to the Kingdom of God despite our past.
This gives us the strength to go on, having faith in the promises of God while trying to work out the purpose of our past life in him.
We should be overcomers of our past baggage, our nostalgia, memories, guilt, and regrets that often bog down our minds.
Here is what i admired about the apostle Paul’s mature way of dealing with the past, he wrote: “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Phil. 3:12-14
In everything, the Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Psalms 23:1-3
As we overcome our past baggage, the Lord nourishes our soul with the streams in the desert, to go forward with hope and faith all that he has promises us. Walk on!
