A New Way

Look forward to the future, "Veil of Forgetfulness"
Bing

“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. Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)



The Lord God speaks to His prophet Isaiah. He also speaks to us. We have times when people’s actions and words tend to get us down. During this time of a new year, we should practice forgetting all the hurts we have endured in our pasts.

“Forget? I can’t forget what they did to me.” How many times have we said that in our lives? I once read a thought about the word ‘forget’ as used in scripture. Warren Wiersbe wrote in a Bible study on Philippians words that I still have in my heart. The passage was Philippians 3:13-14, “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to take hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (NIV)

Mr. Wiersbe wrote that the word ‘forget’ did not mean to banish from our minds. Rather, the meaning was that we no longer allowed things to control us. I found this perspective to free me from some harsh things that happened to me in my past.

When we dwell on events that happened a long time ago, we permit those feelings and those difficult words to color our outlook on life. I have read where a woman who goes through the horror of violation develops wariness about men. A friend of mine was a victim of her stepfather’s misguided passion. She still has protective habits that date back to her adolescent years, even though she has had a good adult life.

Our dwelling on things in our pasts tends to make us sick. We develop ulcers and nerve problems because we can’t lay things to rest. An extreme example of this is the PTSD condition of some soldiers or of someone who has witnesses a horrific crime.

God makes things new and easier for us. Each day is new, we can begin again.

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)

Prayer:

Dear God,

As we go through this time of making changes for this another year, let us remember to give the hurts and heartaches of our pasts over to You. We will do this willingly and wait for You to act on them in our behalf. In the name of Jesus, I pray, AMEN