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We all have things in our past that by a single memory can bring us right back to the place of utter disappointment, pain and quite possibly regret.
This is an area I've struggled a lot with in my life. It's crazy how we can manipulate a memory into a fancied up version of what the memory actually was. We can forget the bad details and only remember the good and or even embellish the memory. No matter what I believe I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who struggles often with memories.
One of the enemies main weapons used against us are visuals (things you allow yourself to see, like IG, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Tumblr) and memories (which as I stated earlier, are usually dressed up to make us remember them better than what they actually were).
Consider this verse in Hebrews;
"admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. (Hebrews 11:13-16 NIV).
The first thing that stands out is "admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth." They knew they were not from here and that they were different and in turn they would not fit in. Their home, where they would no longer be strangers and feel like aliens, was heaven. So they pressed forward to better, leaving less than behind them.
The key in this verse is if they had been"thinking" about the place they had left, that would have lead to memories and in turn would tug at their emotions (which we all know are fleeting and not always accurate). So they stopped at the seed, "thinking" (starts in the mind/thoughts) which could have lead them to returning to a place that God had delivered them from.
Why would we long to go back to a place that "God had delivered" us from? Do we trust that what God has delivered us from, was the best for us? Or that if we go back to that place, we are settling for less than what God had intended for us?
So when you are being temped into thinking and or longing for the past by the use of the deception of memories, refocus on some of these things:
1. Recognize but don't agonize
Recognize that these are memories and that they are from your past. Recognize they may be a tactic from the enemy to try and get you to go back to where God has delivered you from in order to keep you bound to your past. Once that's acknowledged, cast those memories/thoughts before God and do no agonize over them.
2. Meditate on what God says about your future
Get into Gods word, write down Gods promises and verses on your future and overcoming your past on index cards and take them with you everywhere (some great verses
Philippians 3:13-14, Isaiah 43:18, Proverbs 3:5-6, 2 Corinthians 5:17)
Friends, we have to continue to look forward, strain forward and maintain a forward focus no matter what! Yes the temptation to go back to what we left will come. Yes memories may resurface, but it only looks pleasing, it never satisfies.
About the Author :
Leilani Glassmyer is a single mom to a beautiful 4 year old little girl. She is in love with the Creator of the stars. Her mission is simple yet so big, to encourage and bring Jesus to all in need. To bring hope by loving people, writing, photography, music, poetry/spoken word and meeting people right where they are. Gods Grace is her air.
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