Emerge from the past

Picture a man adorned in a cloth of stones and other heavy objects. Imagine what walking and running will feel like to him – laboured, heavy, tiring and difficult would be the adjectives to describe his ordeal.

This simple illustration best describes the lives of many Christians – struggling, clutching at straws, barely living, etc. The reason for this is not far-fetched. For most, it is the inability to move on from the past. Life is not constant, a common denominator in life is its continuous movement and evolvement. It is, therefore, imperative for us humans and particularly Christians to move on from past things.

You cannot live a victorious life in Christ, if you still allow past unsavory events to define your present disposition to life. It is a fact that our path on the road of life will be lined with unpleasant bumps, twists and turns – but the willingness and ability to weave past these hurdles will eventually determine the outcome of your future.

The key to living a dynamic and successful life hinges on your ability to quickly move forward from difficult phases of your life, to make difficult decisions and stick by them. Casting your mind back to the past every now and then is like putting on the garment of stones like illustrated earlier on. You will be burdened with resentment, hatred, depression and anger, all of which will rob you of peace of mind and ultimately, the joy in the Lord.

For every bad situation, crying is a part of the healing process – Allow yourself to cry over your past failures, simmer in your thoughts, then snap out of it as quickly as you can. During your grieving period, God is near to listen and commiserate with you. (Psalm 34:18)

When you are done grieving, have a strong belief in God’s plans to take you forward to a place that offers much more than you left behind. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

Pray regarding the future you want for yourself. Open the line of communication to God as often as you can. Trust Him to set things in motion regarding your prayers, then patiently and humbly wait for His plans to mature and manifest in your life (Philippians 4:6-7).

Regardless of how dire the situation may be, it is not beyond fixing by God. He is the Creator of all things, and as His most precious creation, He has plans more grandeur than what you envisaged for yourself (Jeremiah 29:11). Emerge from your past and look forward to the future with renewed optimism, trusting that there is a tomorrow better than today.

I leave you with the peace of the Almighty, Now and always.
God Bless.

Fellowship with us at The Saint’s Gospel Church of Christ, Hand of Fire Bus Stop, Shadow Tabernacle Close, Ikotun/Igando Road, Lagos. Website: www.tsgcchandoffire-ng.com, Facebook “Jacob Shodeinde”