Thursday, May 21, 2015

May 22, 2015

"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended; but this one thing I do, forgetting the things that are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14
Four common ways people commonly deal with painful memories:

·         Curse It – Resignation
Job’s wife wanted him to just curse God and die. Sometimes the traumas, tragedies and disappointments of life can be overwhelming. It is easy to lose hope and resign yourself to fate. But when you do you will disgrace yourself and God.

·         Rehearse It – Resentment
Resentment is addictive. It is one of the greatest killers of careers, marriages and families because it causes you to focus only on the past and not on the present or the future!

Worst of all, you become more addicted to the feeling of resentment the more you rehearse it. So it’s crucial you put a stop to it before it destroys you and cause you to disgrace yourself and God.

·         Nurse It – Relish
It’s OK to be angry! Anger is a legitimate response to disappointment and hurt. But it becomes dangerous when you stay angry and start nursing a grudge. Don’t relish the feelings or the sympathy. That opens the door for Satan to torment you and keep you trapped in unforgiveness and bitterness! So get angry if you need to, but also get over it quickly!

·         Reverse It - Release
Resist the temptation to resign to the painful memories, or resent the painful memories or to relish the painful memories and release it to the grace of God. Refuse to dwell on past pain and focus on God’s presence, His power and His promises!

We are blessed to live in a Nation that has been successful on the battlefield when defending our freedom and security! That is what we are celebrating this long week-end!

I am also concerned that here at FredWes we learn to win the spiritual battles that are contested on the battlefields of our minds.

When you curse your painful memories and resign yourself to self-pity you are losing the battle! You are remembering what you should not remember and not remembering what you should.

Are you giving into self-pity? Have you resigned to your feelings rather than your faith?

When you rehearse your painful memories open the door to resentment and anger you are losing the battle!. That can lead to despair and depression by remembering what you shouldn’t remember and not remembering what you should.

Are you dwelling on your painful memories and giving into resentment? Have you given into your flesh rather  than standing firm in faith?

When you nurse your painful memories you get stuck in the pain and in the past. You are losing the battle for your heart and mind. Nursing your painful memories causes anger and anxiety to take control of your mind. You enjoy the sympathy and attention you get from others as you remain in your perpetual victimhood.

Are you stuck in suffering mode? Are you enjoying the sympathy and attention that playing the victim brings you?

If any or all of these are true for you, you are losing in the battlefield of the mind. You are remembering the wrong things and not remembering the right things! You need to reverse your remembering!