LEAVING THE PAST

We have all heard the expression "Everyone has a past".  True statement.  That past consist of good memories and bad memories.  Good choices and bad choices.  Actions that have consequences that reflect on character at times.  Addictive behavior, abusive relationships, divorce, unlawful behavior and the list goes on.  And people often associate the past to present when relating to the person today.  One of my greatest battles I had on my journey has been my past.  My past failures and decisions....my past actions and consequences.  They have followed me to the point that I could not go ahead in life.

A failure in my ministry and a failed marriage had left scars on the victims and myself.  I was haunted by this on a daily basis.  I would awake at night and hear voice of my daughter begging me when she was a teenager to come home .  Hear the voices of those in the Church world that I had hurt through my indiscretion.  When I would try to go ahead ....the past would come before me.  Never felt I was worthy to do anything for God or even be consider as any good.  Always felt that when my name was brought up...the only thing people thought of was my past failures.  And sometimes I was reminded of this by individuals that  judgmental in heart.

Sometimes the hardest thing to do ...is to forgive ourselves.  Failure can either be a steeping stone to stronger character or be the cage we live in on a daily basis.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH was a decision I made awhile back.  My daughter wrote me a letter a few years ago and told me that was a captive to my past and need to let go and do something for God.  Others encouraged me.  I had to make a decision.   Paul wrote in Philippians 3:13 " ...forgetting those things which are behind me and reaching forward to those things which are ahead."

Two things have to be done ..I have discovered  (1) Let Go.  Be released from all negative thoughts and feelings and  run to Grace and let God insert His Word and Love.  (2) Remove the past from your future.  God says what are you talking about when the past is brought up.  He sees me as His child with a future.

Today I am free.  I dont remember my past.  My future is in Christ.  I am preparing now to go into ministry and feel worthy of such because of Christ....my hope of glory.

To all those that are battling their past....let go....the future is so much better and promising.  Run in freedom and enjoy yourself.  .  God bless you and may your journey be full of freedom and blessings from this day forth.