Tag: Past Life

Why Does the Past Hurt?

On By TimIn 1 Corinthians 13, LoveLeave a comment

Love suffers long and is kind; love envies not; love flaunts not itself and is not puffed up, does not behave itself improperly, seeks not its own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.

1 Corinthians 13:4–7 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

When reminded of past trauma and the hurt that comes with it, ask yourself… How much pain is legitimate, meaning what is outside of my control?

How much is internal, that is what comes from my offense at being hurt?

These things are important to consider if only for one point. What is external can remain external and a person can move on. But… We tend to internalize these hurts by taking offense. Is it any wonder that the instructions on what love is teach us that it is not offended. This means clearly, if you’re offended, you’ve internalized an external hurt. You’ve brought it inside of you.

I am telling you, hurts will come. Sometimes they will be severe and devastating. It is okay to experience hurt.

Your response to it is wholly up to you. You can embrace it, internalize it, and be offended. That comes with a price. It will negate whatever you think you are doing for God. Your being offended will hinder your work… Guaranteed.

It may also give a foothold to the enemy. It might provide him a subtle way to attack and even waylay you.

There is another response. Submit yourself to the hurt. Let it roll over you. Let God defend you. Do what you do for Jesus in spite of those who would deride you.

Whatever service you do for God, step up, continue in it. Even more so… Press into it. Make it the effort to only honor Him in spite of whatever the naysayers say or do. If it is your calling, it is your calling. Rest assured, if you’re working for Jesus, you will suffer hurt. It is part of the work. The hurt is temporary, and the blessings and joy that come from serving God always exceed whatever temporary hurt that comes.

Hang Up on the Hangups

On By TimIn Encouragement, Ephesians 04, Exhortation, Freedom, Justification, SinLeave a comment

Do not give place to the devil.

Ephesians 4:27 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Paul is speaking of giving the enemy rights. He has no way to bother you unless you give him permission and grant him the right.

What do I mean by right?

This could trigger some uncomfortable feelings.

Think about something that happened to you when you were young, something you remember clearly. Do you instantly become overwhelmed by the feelings of that situation?

It could be good, but might most likely not be. In that case, the feelings of fear and anxiety come… Especially with traumatic events. The feelings can be crippling.

Sometimes those feelings come because of something we’ve done and now regret. A feeling of guilt can obliterate a person.

These crippling feelings of guilt, fear, anxiety, despair, and/or others can create a cascading physiological response with an adrenaline surge. Which may lead to something that grieves the Holy Spirit.

These things the enemy uses as a foothold. It’s a place to gain access. And if we are not aware of that fact we can be blindsided. I know. It happens to me.

None of us are made to fear. We are not made to have guilt. Paul gives ample remedy for how to avoid giving rights away.

But what of those things in the past?

Knowledge is a firmer foundation than emotion.

You can renounce them. You can renounce how they make you feel. You can renounce the control they have over your emotions. Do it out loud, to God. For whatever it is that overwhelms you, whether you are the victim or not. Allow God to take the feelings, the anxiety, and the fear away. Read the rest of the text beginning at Ephesians 4:1 into Chapters 5&6. Learn how to put on the new nature and live in victory.

You can do it, by taking the first step.

Don’t be sidelined. Don’t be a spectator. Stand firm!

He is Just

On By TimIn Daily Walk, Jesus, Justification, Love, Righteousness, Romans 03, Salvation, Sanctification, The Cross1 Comment

This righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all and upon all who believe, for there is no distinction. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith, in His blood, for a demonstration of His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins previously committed, to prove His righteousness at this present time so that He might be just and be the justifier of him who has faith in Jesus.

Romans 3:22–26 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I am certain all of us are familiar with this passage. In a bit of insomniac tossing and turning last night, I had a half-hearted discussion with God and He brought this to my mind.

It was after a challenging evening where past lies were dredged up and that the one doing it reported those as my legacy. Of course, the other person was a bit short on facts. Nevertheless, those old scars can hurt.

The person who brought the stuff up is rather lonely, abusive, and very embittered. That one is certainly not a believer, but an avowed atheist. The bitterness has cost lots of people time, aggravation, and real money. Some have had to endure abusive (really demonic) behavior.

I would ask God why someone like that gets to breathe His air for so long.

He gently reminded me of how longsuffering He is with me. He also gently asked why He ought not be as longsuffering with that person. And as He always does, there was that verse gently impressed into my mind… He might be Just and justifier.

You see, when we stand before God to give account, us believers have already been judged for our sins, those list of ordinances against us are nailed to the cross.

But there are those unbelievers and God-haters who will stand before Him at the Great White Throne. Those will be gently reminded of all they’ve done to rail against God. Why will be painstakingly obvious to all who watch, will be the longsuffering of God.

It’s a simple fact that His mercies are new, and He suffers long that makes Him just.

How often do we seek immediate justice for wrongs done to us?

Seriously, really give that some long consideration. Swift justice is indeed just. Yet something else comes to mind.

He has told you, O man, what is good—and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Micah 6:8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

There is so much talk around about justice. It is hard to find where the Bible instructs is to seek justice. I don’t think it does because God does. We are told to do justice, in other words, to act justly. It is our behavior we ought to control. And by the example given to us by Paul about God.

He says in another place that mercy triumphs over judgment. It is this mercy for all of us, that is supposed to gently lead us to repentance.

Think about that the next time someone disrespects you for something, I don’t care why it is or if it is for the ten-thousandth time. Your God suffers long for you, why would He not suffer just as long for your adversaries?