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"My Problem Is My Past!"
Mantras of the 90's #5
One of the hot topics on talk shows, among movie stars and in magazines is THE
CURRENT EFFECTS OF PAST ABUSE. As claims are made about dysfunctional families,
codependency and all kinds of new psychological disorders, we often hear folks
say:
"My Problem Is My Past!"
A number of people in our society are convinced that their present attitudes,
behavior problems and habits have their origin in their past. Often there is the
implication that one is a victim of some past relationship, or that they have
been programmed a certain way by their parents or family.
In responding to this, we cannot simply dismiss the influence of the past. The
Bible teaches us, our past does have impact in our present and future. There are
real cases in the Bible where children were hurt by poor parenting, or people
suffered because of their own past actions. Without any doubt, things can happen
to us (either at the hands of others, or our own foolishness), and these things
have consequences.
Let us not ignore, there may be things in our past that can really help us! Past
success can give us confidence and courage for the days ahead. Past education
and the Bible knowledge we have gained can be positive forces in us today. As we
remember what we've done in the past, repentance can result (Rev. 2:5), and our
past can help keep us humble (Deut. 9:7). The Bible admits the influence of the
past, but there are positive things as well as negative.
What is needed is, an evaluation of the past accompanied by the desire to profit
from the good, deal with the bad, and repent of any sin we've committed! I need
to realize, regardless of what has happened to me in the past, I can be forgiven
by Christ and I can be what I ought to be through Him (Phil. 4:13). I can study
and pray and use God's Word to overcome past disadvantages. I can repent of my
own sin, and be more watchful and careful in the future. By the grace of God I
can rejoice that I am not locke
d into doom because of my past! We can turn adversity into advantage; we can
deal with real problems in the past; we can cope and be responsible today,
through the power of the gospel of Christ.
"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, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God
in Christ Jesus." (Philip 3:13,14, NKJV).
"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let
us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the
author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him
endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of
the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners
against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have
not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin." (Heb. 12:1-4, NKJV).
By Warren E. Berkley
From Expository Files 4.5; May 1997
