The Past

We can draw lessons from the past, but we can’t live in it. Lyndon B. Johnson

I wrote last week about some things from the past that have recently sprung up and threatened to harm not only my peace, but also my family. I realized that the past can most definitely be a prison. Memories can be a never-ending maze from which we may find difficult to free ourselves.

But at the end of the day, the past is the past.

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV

When memories of the past come to haunt us and threaten our peace, we must cast them down and bring them into captivity to the obedience of Christ. I have seen too many people and have personally been a victim of past circumstances, however, Christ came to give us liberty (Luke 4:8) and where His Spirit is, there is liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17).

It’s easy to walk around angry, bitter, full of unforgiveness and trapped by the memories and events of the past. However, for every question: why? for every tear we have cried, Jesus is the answer.

Jesus promised that after His Spirit comes upon us, we receive power (Acts 1:8). The power of His Spirits gives us the ability to take every thought, every memory, captive and cast it down. That power allows us the ability to overcome and offer love and forgiveness to those whom have caused us hurt. It also allows us to seek forgiveness from those whom we have hurt.

To be obedient to God and trust Him in the process of reconciling our past, reconciling our hurts may be one of the most challenging trials of our faith, however, it is in these times that we truly learn who God is.

*Original Image by Yours Truly