One of my life's Bible verses is Isaiah 43:18-19; what I mean by "life verses," is those scriptures that I immediately put to memory because they spoke specifically into my life at just the right time.
This verse says, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past . . . NIV. Other translations say it this way; "But, forget all that . . .it is nothing compared to what I am going to do." NLT; "Do not call to mind the former things, or consider things of the past." NAS; "But the LORD says, "Do not cling to events of the past or dwell on what happened long ago." Good News Translation
How many of us can say that we align ourselves with this scripture, especially when it concerns the loss of our child or someone we love who is no longer here with us? Or, when we have experienced hardships, life-altering or life-changing events? Many times in my life, especially where pain and sorrow is concerned, I have "called to mind" things of the past, pondered about how and why certain things happened the way they did, and I have had a difficult time letting go of the past, realizing and paying attention to life going on"right here, right now."
Some might say calling to mind former things is necessary for healing and resolution, but, I have not found that to be true in my life. Looking back, reflecting for a time on events and experiences in the past may help me understand more about myself and how God moves in my life, learning from past mistakes and successes can be helpful somehow, but dwelling, pondering and clinging to the past is not helpful to me at all, and never leads me to healing and peace.
The longer I live, the closer I am to the LORD, and the more I realize and rely on God's Word not only as the "lamp unto my feet and the light unto my path," but, as the living, God-breathed Word that warns me, encourages me and transforms me, but only when I believe what it says, trust it to be the truth and calls me to obey and stand firm on the truth - God's truth - absolute truth!
Recently, Bob and I attended a memorial service and re-burial of a beautiful 7 month old baby who died and was buried in New Mexico more than 14 years ago. The grief expressed by her parents was very painful to watch and experience; 14 years later, their grief seemed as deep and intense as it must have been 14 years ago. I drew close to the precious mom I have been mentoring for a few years and and whispered, "Let her go. Let go of all your pain and sorrow. It's time."
I don't know if this young couple will be able to let go, because their grief connected to the loss of their baby girl is very complicated. But, how I hope and pray they will not continue to bring to mind the past and will live each day with a renewed desire to live free from their past.
What about you? Are there circumstances and events you keep thinking about that keep you "dwelling on the past?' It is my heart's desire that you will take God's wisdom and truth to heart and "forget the past." Though this is not easy to do, the rest of this verse contains a promise, "See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."
May you perceive what God is doing to lead you through the wilderness of your grief, providing His "living water" to refresh and revive you, as only He can.
With Faith, Hope and Love,
Angie "a mom like you"
amotherlikeme@gmail.com
This verse says, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past . . . NIV. Other translations say it this way; "But, forget all that . . .it is nothing compared to what I am going to do." NLT; "Do not call to mind the former things, or consider things of the past." NAS; "But the LORD says, "Do not cling to events of the past or dwell on what happened long ago." Good News Translation
How many of us can say that we align ourselves with this scripture, especially when it concerns the loss of our child or someone we love who is no longer here with us? Or, when we have experienced hardships, life-altering or life-changing events? Many times in my life, especially where pain and sorrow is concerned, I have "called to mind" things of the past, pondered about how and why certain things happened the way they did, and I have had a difficult time letting go of the past, realizing and paying attention to life going on"right here, right now."
Some might say calling to mind former things is necessary for healing and resolution, but, I have not found that to be true in my life. Looking back, reflecting for a time on events and experiences in the past may help me understand more about myself and how God moves in my life, learning from past mistakes and successes can be helpful somehow, but dwelling, pondering and clinging to the past is not helpful to me at all, and never leads me to healing and peace.
The longer I live, the closer I am to the LORD, and the more I realize and rely on God's Word not only as the "lamp unto my feet and the light unto my path," but, as the living, God-breathed Word that warns me, encourages me and transforms me, but only when I believe what it says, trust it to be the truth and calls me to obey and stand firm on the truth - God's truth - absolute truth!
Recently, Bob and I attended a memorial service and re-burial of a beautiful 7 month old baby who died and was buried in New Mexico more than 14 years ago. The grief expressed by her parents was very painful to watch and experience; 14 years later, their grief seemed as deep and intense as it must have been 14 years ago. I drew close to the precious mom I have been mentoring for a few years and and whispered, "Let her go. Let go of all your pain and sorrow. It's time."
I don't know if this young couple will be able to let go, because their grief connected to the loss of their baby girl is very complicated. But, how I hope and pray they will not continue to bring to mind the past and will live each day with a renewed desire to live free from their past.
What about you? Are there circumstances and events you keep thinking about that keep you "dwelling on the past?' It is my heart's desire that you will take God's wisdom and truth to heart and "forget the past." Though this is not easy to do, the rest of this verse contains a promise, "See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."
May you perceive what God is doing to lead you through the wilderness of your grief, providing His "living water" to refresh and revive you, as only He can.
With Faith, Hope and Love,
Angie "a mom like you"
amotherlikeme@gmail.com
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