Break Free

Don’t be a prisoner of past choices you cannot change—break free from the bondage of haunting memories.  Scripture tells us in Philippians 3:13-14: “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.” (vs 14) “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

The following thoughts are reflective of my own experiences and personal struggles I battle regarding the past.  Total happiness becomes like sinking sand when Christians allow Satan to overload their minds with memories of mistakes they cannot change.

If we allow our adversary to replay mistakes that God has forgiven, the clutter of yesterday’s memories will continue to plague our thought process.  God’s grace redeemed our past.

The thirty-nine stripes Jesus suffered from the brutal scourging on the day of His crucifixion was for our complete healing that included bad memories.  Theologically, this healing is often understood as spiritual first, but it also speaks to the restoration of the whole person—mind, spirit, and ultimately even the body.

God’s redemption plan allows us the privilege of walking in freedom the moment He forgives our sins—completely free from any condemnation Satan keeps recalling.  God saved us to look forward, not backward.  He encourages us to leave our past in the past and walk in victory today.

Jesus completed God’s plan of salvation when He gave His life for our sins.  His final words as He hung on the cross were, “It is finished” a reference to God’s eternal plan for humanity.  We were separated from our Creator, by proxy, when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden.

Jesus made it possible for communion with God to be reestablished.  When we realize this applies to us, we are given a choice to accept Jesus as Savior or reject God’s grace and go our separate ways.  But there is a ‘must do’ after God forgives our sins; we must learn to forgive ourselves of former transgressions that we cannot do anything about.

God does not want us to regress and linger in guilt of past failures that cause us to forgo the joy and harmony that God provides each day.  If a Christian insists on habitually reliving strongholds of sorrowful regrets, this ongoing action keeps them in bondage—harmony slips their grasp.

When God saves our soul, He throws all memories of past sins into the “sea of His forgetfulness.”  Total liberation floods our soul when we stop reminding God of things that have been forgiven when we accepted Jesus as Lord.  He shed His blood on the cross for our complete healing.

Reflecting on regrettable memories can only steal present and future peace, while allowing emotions to become unstable like an ‘Achilles Heel’.  Focusing on remorseful things can stagnate spiritual growth and cause the mind to vacillate between forgiveness and bondage.  It’s like a sore that won’t heal because the person keeps picking off the scab.

When we forgive ourselves and leave the past alone, awareness of God’s presence enhances as adjustments are made to move closer to the new life Jesus provided.  This positive move enables wellness and good health to reside in our complete person.  Refusing to think about hurtful things takes effort on our part.  The Holy Spirit is our strength who helps us achieve victory each day.  It’s a walk of faith.

The serenity prayer says it well: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.”

We must put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6;13-17) especially the helmet of salvation to protect our minds.  We must take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God to combat the enemy and prevent our subconscious from recalling past imperfections lest they weaken our spiritual walk with Jesus in the present. 

Self-condemnation keeps people stuck in guilt, but thinking of godly things leads to freedom.  Break free and live in harmony.

(Philippians 4:8), “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things."

When we trust God’s forgiveness and guard our thoughts with His truth, the chains of the past fall away and we are free to walk in the joy Christ purchased for us.

Written by,

Papa Boyd