Forgetting the Past

In thumbing through my Bible this morning, looking for something to share from God's Word, I came across this passage from the book of Isaiah.


Isaiah 43:18 - 19 - "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert, and streams in the wasteland".


I think all of us at some time or another, tend to cling to, or hold onto things of the past - why we do, is the question. The Lord is telling us in the above scripture, that He wants and desires to give us and to show us newness of life. He even makes a way for us in times that are hard, but we have to let go of the past, and trust him with today, and with the future. Most of the time, the things we hold onto seem hard to let go of - they're familiar - they deceive us into thinking they are a safe place to hide emotionally. They've taken up permanent residence in our hearts and in our lives, and holding onto them aren't benefitting us at all, but hinder us in our emotional and spiritual growth.


Past hurts undealt with, paralyze us - if not dealt with, those hurts turn into anger and unforgiveness. Once unforgiveness takes a solid place in our hearts, it turns into bitterness, which the Bible says in Hebrews 12: 15 - "See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many". The Greek word for bitter is the same word for manure or dung. Think about manure - it's waste - something to be expelled from the body.


Manure is also used as a fertilizer, so although that can be beneficial in growing beautiful flowers, food and such, in this case, it's use is of no benefit whatsoever. Fertilizing this root causes it to take hold of every area in our life, bringing troubles and defiling many. It can and will affect every relationship in one's life, choking out God and His word, His plan for our life, It can and will destroy every relationship in one's life, if not dealt with.



Don't let another day go by without giving these things of the past to the Lord. Let Him heal the hurts, and guide you to a new life, full of His grace.



Janelle