The Past that Hurts

We all have a past. If we look back, it hurts.

Though there are good memories, if we look back there are memories that can hurt us.

If you step outside and ask people in their mid 30’s to share a memory from their past; they will answer with extra caution because they wouldn’t want to let out the dark part of their past to any stranger. But if you were to ask a kid what he did in the past year, he would have a ton of happy stories to tell you.

So, why are we that way? Why do we, in our 20’s and 30’s, clearly remember the past hurtful memories more than the good and happy ones?

Why do we remember the times when our hearts were broken, more than the times when we found peace, joy, and happiness in Christ?

Why do we remember the times we were embarrassed in front of a people than the times we were praised and appreciated in front of people?

Why ?

Maybe such memories burn deep into our heart that often times we leave them there with a desire to keep them as the monument of our past. Some like to keep their memories that way. Some like to erase it. Some like to keep but at the same time erase it (Torn apart between two things). But one thing to remember is that the more we cause the past to linger the more it will become the weight that pulls us down.

No matter how we move forward in life, we find ourselves coming back to the same memories, life and habits. We really haven’t moved forward rather we have only moved forward carrying with us the shackles of the past and chains of guilt and hurt still tied on to us.

I love this scripture, Psalmist says,

Psalms 130:3. If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?

The Psalmist had a deeper revelation, he knew that God never kept a record of his past when he prayed to God and said, “I am sorry.”

he goes on to say,

Psalms 130:4. But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.

God knows our past and knows all that we have done but still offers forgiveness. So that we can be called his children.

So now, because God has forgiven our sins and hasn’t kept a record of our past. We as his children do not have any obligations, rights or responsibilities to keep the past alive in us.

We are now, called to serve him with all our heart, soul, and mind: throwing away the past that hurt us, throwing away the past that kept us back all these days, throwing away the past that told us we are incapable of achieving anything in life. We are now, called to serve him with peace, joy, and tranquility.

If God doesn’t keep a record of our sins then we shouldn’t.

God is able to make all things new in our life.

Heb 8:12 says, For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

Forgetting past hurtful memories is a miracle. Only God can help us get out of it. Ask him and he will heal you of every past hurtful memory.

And now that you have been forgiven, restored and set free; set yourself on the course to run.

Heb. 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let’s us throw away every hurtful memory by asking God to heal and help us get over it. And set ourselves on the course to run by fixing our eyes on Jesus, the one who started the faith and the one who can perfect the faith.

In my former days, I was a pornography addict but now I have developed a hate and displeasure towards it. It’s been five years since I gazed my eyes on any of those websites. That is something only God can do. God has changed my life so much that the past doesn’t hurt. Rather when I look back at it, I rejoice because I’ve been forgiven and set free.

If God can do that for me. He can do it for you.

Allow God to take control of your life. He will make it GLORIOUS.

I was inspired to write this blog after I read a blog(and the comments) titled, “Reclaiming Childhood” by Beauty Beyond Bones. Read that article here