Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Allowed - Aloud (01/05/23)
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TITLE: Drop the Past | Previous Challenge Entry
By Art Fahy
01/12/23 -
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I tried to change the past in my mind. I made myself look bigger, better, smarter, and stronger in situations. What a great feeling but unfortunately it was only temporary. It was my go to escape from what was happening at the moment. Even worse it was the last thing I would think about at night. When I awoke in the morning, I felt tired and restless. The past was still the same.
I failed so many times to let go of the past. Adversity does not have too be faced alone. The Holy Spirit helps us through the trials so we can glorify God. I screamed many times for God to help me. Then one day the thorn that bothered me for so long was gone. It no longer had any control over me. It was no longer the relief that I turned to to take me from the present moment or to make me feel better about the past. When the past comes up today, I may glance at it but not stare. I was a slave to the idea of thinking I could change the past and make it better.
What I learned dwelling on the past actually became a tool for me to grow toward God. There was a purpose and it’s okay to look at the past and learn from it. But God does not want us to abide there. Isaiah 65:17 says “For behold I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind.”
I prayed continuously asking God to search my heart and show me why I thought the way I did. Then I realized growing up I believed the negative words that were said to me. When those people were no longer in my life, Satan took over and I bought into his lies. Now I had work to do. I worked pulling out the weeds, that kept me from growing in my relationship with the Lord. I focused on Jesus and not the circumstances. I continued to turn the soil over, to plant the truth. I allowed the great Gardener to prune away what was no longer serving Him or me. I was the branch and Jesus the vine. For me to bear fruit, I had to stay connected to Jesus and feed myself with the Word of God. God’s timing is always perfect. He allowed this adversity in my life for a reason.
Adversity is a reminder of the fact that we are dependent upon God to get us through the troubling times. God’s ultimate goal is to mold us to the likeness of His Son Jesus Christ. Adversity can reveal our weakness and strengths. It can show us our faithfulness to God and can strengthen our faith. Adversity can chip away at our pride and self-centeredness. We can use this experience to help others.
By trusting and depending on God He has revealed more of Himself to me. As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” I am a new person and have the power to put the past far behind me.
By attempting to change the past, I told God He made a mistake, and it should have been this way. The past never changed. God was telling me this is my plan follow me. Jesus tells us in John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” One can not move forward if he is looking backward. Drop the rocks from the past and live the abundant life Jesus wants us to live. Live now so we can serve Him.
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