FORGETTING YOUR PAST –Turning your Pain into Purpose.

-John 8:1-11; Philippians 3:8-14; Isaiah 43:16-21.

By: Robert Kortey Apla-kweku.

I want you to imagine the healing of memory as a leader with seven rungs. It only takes a small act of courage to start, but a big daily dose of it to keep going, because you’ll feel like quitting a thousand times before you get to the top. Where does that kind of courage and tenacity come from? Three things: the books we reads, the relations we form, and the time we spent with God.

What is it that enables you to endure painful struggles and rise above discouragement and set backs? It is the joy of knowing that day by day you are getting closer to your goal. What goal? The goal of taking back your life and becoming what God want you to be.

Rung 1: “Repent”

Some people’s ideas of a good sermon is one that goes over their head to hits their neighbor right between their eyes. God’s help in repentance is like this: He doesn’t put a bandage on an infected wound; He insists that it’s be lanced, drained, cleansed, and given a time to heal.

King David took the wife of one his own army officer, got her pregnant, and then had her husband killed to cover it up. What a mess! The child died, scandal rocked his throne, and civil war broke out. But worse of all, he permitted “…the enemies of the Lord… to …blaspheme…” (2 Sam 12:14). Finally he stopped running, stopped hiding, and got honest. “Then I let it all out; I said, I’ll make a clean breast of my failures to God. Suddenly the pressure was gone –my guilt dissolved, my sin disappeared” (Psalm 32:5-6).

If you think your past disqualifies you from moving forward, then you don’t understand God’s grace. He always has more for you today than you lost yesterday! If you say , “I’ve had a child out of wedlock; I’ve been divorced; I’ve been in prison; I’ve had an abortion; I’ve violated the trust other placed in me; I’ve lost so much.” Don’t worry God is not moved by our infirmities (Heb. 4:15). Listen carefully to this words: “For since he himself has now been through suffering and temptation, he knows, what it’s like… and he is wonderfully able to help us” (Heb 2:18).

Can somebody with a past touch God in the present, and their future be forever changed? The rewards of repentance are awesome. Listen to Job, “Prepare your heart and lift up your hands Him in prayer! Get rid of your sins, … (Job 11:13-19).

Repentance is not just “feeling sorry” for what you’ve done. It is a quality decision to break with the past and all it’s associations, pleasures, habits and thoughts. It’s an-about-face-turn. (Text and story of the prodigal son-Luke 15:18)

Repentance is not a light dusting: it’s thorough washing. If you don’t know how to repent, you just read the words of David in Psalm 51:1-12.

Rung 2: Receive God’s Grace!

How does God put with us? How can he keep forgiving us over and over again? The answer is grace – nothing but grace! Paul said, “God, for Christ’s sake has forgiven you.” (Eph 4:32) God forgives us the ten thousandth time for the same reason He forgave us the first time – because of the cross. That’s the only account any of us can draw on.

When it comes to understanding God’s grace, most of us don’t know the difference between letters and numbers. “Saving is all his idea… it’s God’s gift from start to finish… we neither make nor save ourselves… God does both…” (Eph 2:8-9). Somewhere I heard a Sunday school teacher who tried to explain the following verse to her students Isaiah 55:1. The teacher the question out to the kids, “What does it mean to buy with money?” after a long pause, one boy’s hand shot up into the air and said, “I know my mother does it all the time, it means charge it!”

Forgiveness, yesterday, today and forever, is available to you through grace, but only on credit. His credit. Charge it to Jesus!

Rung 3: Make Restitution

The true basis of all healing rests in our willingness to forgive, and, when possible, to make amends to those we have hurt. Even though Zaccheus was a Jew, he worked for the system that enslaved his people; he collected taxes for the Romans. Now, tax collectors are among the most hated people in society because they usually extorted more than the system demanded and got rich doing it. That’s why everybody was surprised when Jesus said he was coming to Zaccheus’ house (Lk. 19:5)

God’s grace is most clearly displayed in the lives of broken people. “God is ashamed to be called their God” (Heb 11:16). The Bible makes no mention of what Jesus said to Zaccheus over supper that night. But it might have been pretty powerful words, and that is why Zaccheus said he going to back all that he collected unjustly (Lk 19:8). When Jesus heard his confession and willingness to make amends, he said, “Today salvation has come to this house” (Luke 19:9)

Again, the true basis of all inner healing rests in our willingness to forgive, and when possible, to make amends to those we have hurt. There is no “statute of limitations” in God’s kingdom when it comes to responsibility. If you owe someone a debt, pay it! If you’ve hurt them, apologize and try to make restitution (Matt. 5:23-24).

Rung 4: Renounce it!

Shame… fear… rejection… insecurity… and resentment… all are sins in our lives. They have no right to be there!

Each of us has a circle of perfect protection around us. But when we refuse to deal with it, we break the circle and open ourselves to things like shame, fear, rejection, insecurity and resentment. By refusing to repent, forgive and make amends, we invite these things in and give them control.

Whether it’s something you did, or something that was done to you, the only way out of the prison of resentment, is through the door of forgiveness. “And when you stand in prayer, forgive whatever you have against anybody, so that your Father in heaven may forgive your failings too” (Mark 11:25).

Jesus said: “Blessed are those who mourn: they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4). Not only is it healthy to express your emotions in the right way, it is self-destructive not to. When we try to ‘stuff’ them, they drop from our conscious into our sub-conscious, and what you refuse to deal with, then what our refuse to deal with, will then begin to deal with us! Those undealt-with emotions will eventually begin to ‘break out’ in other areas of our lives in things like workaholism, over-eating substance abuse, and other forms of compulsive behavior of aberrant behavior.

Once we’ve identified the problem, we must be willing to repent of our part, forgive others of their part, and accept complete forgiveness on God’s part.   

To get free and stay free, sometimes we must break the enemy’s hold and renounce his work in our lives. This is done simply by using the Name of Jesus. 

Here’s how it works: the mention of the name brings the to the Father’s attention the finished work of Calvary through which all our victories are won and all our needs are met. But the ultimate force in using the name of Jesus, is in repeating it in the ears of Satan, our defeated and insisting on his retreat. As you pray using that name, he must go; reluctantly; angrily; he MUST loosen his clutches and retreat!

No matter what you are battling with today, you can say with authority, “I come against you in the Name and through the Blood of Jesus, I break your hold over my life.” Those are powerful words because His name gives the authority to say it, and His Blood gives you the assurance that it has already been paid for and provided. “I tell you the truth whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven”.

We must be careful of this, whatever you denounce, should not be taken back.

A lie is as good as the truth: if only you believe it! If you were a millionaire, and I could convince you that you were penniless, you do live in want and die in need. The thoughts that chain you to the past are a lie. Don’t believe them! Go back to God’s word and find out what it he says about you, for that is what will set you free. (John 8:32).

At this point let’s take a moment and deal with three of the enemy’s strategies:

The first is feelings. Through your reason he tells you, “You don’t deserve to be free.” Through your emotions he tells you, “You don’t feel like you’re free.” Here is where victory is decided. Stand your ground. The work is done in you. God’s word says so. Now you must begin now to so too. Time will strengthen and solidify your position. Don’t vacillate of be “double-minded”, for that creates paralyzing indecision: the inability to act victoriously or walk in new found freedom. St. Paul said there is only one thing he does, and that’s forgetting the past (Phil. 3:13). He was characterized by single-mindedness.

His second strategy is shock. If you are not expecting to be attacked you’ll think, “I must not be making any progress at all, or else why would I still be fighting the same old battles?”

His third strategy is to get you to speak negatively. He wants you to say things like, “what’s the use? Nothing is changing!” When you begin to speak like that, you’re signing a receipt and accepting the package. The Bible says, “if you have committed yourself to your lips, if through words of you have been entrapped”. Guard your words for they create the atmosphere you live in. Never say things that make the enemy think he is winning. But rather this is what you are supposed to say, “How can I live victoriously over this things? “By taking this four steps:

1. Soak yourself into the scriptures: when the enemy tries to plant his thoughts and suggestions in your mind, have your “It is written,” ready. Build yourself up on the world of God, before the attack comes. Jesus used the it is written formula to overcome the tempter in the desert.

2. Develop the habit of prayer: The enemy knows what your potential is, and he is out to stop you before you get there. Prayer puts a shield of divine protection over you! Don’t live without it! Jesus said, stay alert; be in prayer so you don’t wonder into temptation without knowing it you are in danger. (Matt. 26:41).

The most effective weapon the enemy uses against you is you. That is why your old nature must be taken daily to the cross and crucified. The place of prayer is where you do that. As you spent in God’s presence, you see yourself as He sees you, and there at the point of repentance he begins to reveal, remove, and restore: your peace of mind; the respect of your loved ones; the courage to dream again; the ability to love and be loved a healthy way; and the strength to say “No” to every destructive force that has ever ruled your life.

3. Burn your bridges: Any bridge to the past that you refuse to burn just gives the enemy an invitation and an entry point back into your life.

Israel discovered that if you are serious about going to the “Promised Land,” you’ve got to leave Egypt: including the things you liked about it. More than once they wanted to go back to the way things were. Why? Because there is a certain security in staying with what you know and certain fearfulness in moving out into what you don’t know.

Consider this; you’ll give out a lot if you decide to move forward, but you’ll give even more if you stay where you are. It’s not easy to break with the past.

Remember, change is inevitable, but growth is optional; you’ll either fight it for flow with it, but know this: if you are not willing to leave Egypt, you’ll never get to the Promised Land. For if you can’t change, you can’t grow, and if you are not growing, you are not really living. Growth means giving up familiar but limiting patterns. Taking a new step or uttering a new word is what we fear a most, but in reality, our fear should be the exact opposite.

4. Learn how to rest and replenish your strength: Blessed with success, but cursed with ambition, we self-destruct because we don’t know to take care of ourselves.

Samson could handle the might of a thousand soldiers single-handedly, but he couldn’t handle the loneliness of an empty room, so he finished up in Delilah’s lap. Delilah’s weapons were not her lips, hips and fingertips, but rather his tiredness, his numbness, and his inner void. David found his answer to this problem in God’s presence. “For you are my refuge” (Ps 61:3). But Samson never did and it killed him. Delilah’s lap looked so good, that he stayed too long, talked too much, and lost everything. When you are tired you are vulnerable.

Your “Delilah” can be anything that comes into your life to deplete your strength. It can be career, a relationship, or a habit. It is what you turn to when you need and escape. Don’t be fooled she may delight you tonight, she will destroy you tomorrow. Get up while you can and run. Don’t walk. Run to the arms of Jesus. Isaiah says, “He gives strength to the weary, he strengthens the powerless. Youths grows tired and weary, the young stumble and fall, but those who hope in Yahweh shall regain their strength, they sprout wings as eagles, though they run they will not grow weary, though they walk they will never tire.” (Is. 40:29-31).

Rung 5: Rejoice

“And for all things thanks; this is the will of God” (Thessalonians 5:18). Introversion is  a dangerous preoccupation with yourself. It always leads to depression and negativity. Why? Because inevitably you focus on what’s wrong in your life instead of what is good. Have you ever met perfectionist who was truly happy?

Whenever things must always be a certain way, life can be pretty miserable, because life constantly changes. Instead of being content and grateful for their blessings, perfectionists constantly dwell on what is wrong, and their need to fix it. The fact that perfectionists constantly think about such things makes it possible for them to be thankful: an attitude of gratitude is basic to happiness.

“David said, seven times a day I will praise thee” (Ps 119:164). Forget your drinking breaks; start having praise breaks. Punctuate your day with them because praise gets your eyes off problem and onto problem solver. It changes your focus from what is wrong to what is possible.

If you want to come into God’s presence, the Bible tells us to enter His gates with thanks giving, across His courtyard with praise and you will find Him there waiting for you (Ps 100:4).

When you reach up to Him and say, “I love You, I need you,” He picks you up and carries you through the rough places. He holds you closely to Himself and whisper, “Fear not… thou art mine” (Isaiah 43:1).

Rung 6: Repeat What God Says About You

Some people could always focus like the lesser beam, only on what is wrong. a thousand good things could pass them by without a comment, but when a problem arose, they came to life. They are ‘experts’ in such subjects as: why things are not the way should be , why nothing ever changes, why nobody cares, and why things are not as good as they used to be.

Word’s are powerful things; they either build you up or tear you down. They literally create a ceiling above which your faith cannot rise. That is why it is so important to line your words up with God’s words.

To talk in victory you must begin to say what God says, regardless of the situation you find yourself in. to say anything different is to put yourself in disagreement with God. You are what God says are. If others disagree, so what? When you’ve got God’s opinion, what difference does anybody else make?   

The only solid and enduring foundation for self-worth is God’s opinion of you. And you will find that in His word. When you do, build your life around it and fill your conversation with it. Whether you are struggling or soaring, stand on the Word of God.

Stop running from place to place looking for love and security. Just open your heart; God is speaking to you today in the very circumstances you’re trying to escape. God is the one you need when your life has wounded you and you have fallen from your nesting place like a bird. Only His hand can catch your falling soul, cast it to the wind, and give you the strength to fly again.

This is what God is saying about you: “I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him and restore comfort to him.” (Is. 57:8).

Rung 7: Restoration

You can start your life over again any day you chose. The past ended last night at midnight. Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Listen to this promise; “I will restore unto you… the years… (Joel 2:25).

God says, “I’ll give you new opportunities, new relationships, and new beginning. It’s not late for you. He’s hiring in the eleventh hour, (Matthew 20ff).

In that story some workers were hired in the third hour, others in the six hour, others in the ninth hour, and some in the eleventh hour. This last group had only one hour left when the owner of the vineyard found them standing idle. The day was almost over and they had nothing to show for it. Looking back, it must all have seemed like such a waste.

Their lives had no meaning and no value, until he came. Even though they’d only an hour left, he took what they had and gave them back more than they ever-dreamed possible.

To consternation of some and the amazement of all, he gives those who were called in the eleventh hour the same wages as all the others. The first three groups complained that it wasn’t fair. But he said to them, “I chose to pay the last comer as I pay you.”  (Matt. 20:14).

If you fall, not everybody will be generous enough in the spirit to rejoice when you get up. Some weren’t too pleased when the prodigal son came back home; especially his older brother. And there are still lots of “older brothers” around today. They will point an accusing finger, but they’ll never extend a helping hand. That is because they are more comfortable with your failure than they are with your success. How sad. They want what you’ve got, but they don’t want to pay what you paid. They feel like your gain is their loss; that somehow your blessing came at their expense.

Some of them even feel like they have a right to blow your light out, in order to let their own light shine.

Failing doesn’t mean I am a failure; it just means I have not yet succeeded. It doesn’t mean I’ve accomplished nothing; it just means I’ve learned something. It doesn’t mean I’ve been a fool; it just means I had the courage to take a risk. It doesn’t mean I’m inferior; it just means I’m not perfect. It doesn’t mean I’ve wasted my time; it just means I have a reason to start over. It doesn’t mean I should give up; it just means I must try harder. It doesn’t mean I’ll never make it; it just means I need more practice. It doesn’t mean God has abandoned me; it just means He has better idea.