Looking back with God

The first step in our journey is realization and acknowledgement. To realize and to accept, where we've been, where we are and where we're going to is essential. We need to look back over our shoulders as far as we can remember, to the influences and environment that have shaped our lives, beliefs and characters. It is imperative to take stock of the past, in order to go forward. At this point let me say that I don't mean dwell in the past, living in a state of regret and dragging around a whole lifetime of baggage. I mean reflect on what has happened, how have you ended up where you are now, and what has contributed to you being there?

Our pasts are as varied as we are, most have been filled with joy and fond memories, intertwined with painful experiences, growing pains and milestones. We have been shaped by socio-economic circumstances, either poverty, average income or wealth, whatever level of financial influence we were accustomed to, has determined to a large degree our environment. While most people can say that they have had an "average" or "normal" childhood, there are others who have not been so fortunate. Many people are coming from painful pasts. Dysfunctional homes, broken marriages, physical, sexual and emotional abuse, alcohol and drug abuse have all caused turmoil in the lives of so many people. Many issues lay unresolved, actively, negatively impacting people's lives. Cycles of pain and abuse, generational curses, peer pressure, gang culture, society's acceptance of violence and mayhem have all played a role in shaping people's lives.

Some people's issues, are so traumatic and deep seated that it takes years of therapy to uncover and attempt to deal with. This is one of the many ways in which the devil comes "to steal, and to kill, and to destroy......" (John 10:10). The devil and his demons have been wreaking havoc for generations, ruining people's lives. Added to this are the poor decisions people have made, based on impulse or poor judgment, external influence or pressure, that have led to unfavorable conditions. Some have had to suffer years of hardship over a foolish decision.

So there is a lot of anguish in people's lives, and there will continue to be unless the right steps are taken to rectify the situation. This is the first step, and since you can't go anywhere until you take that first step, the sooner you take it the sooner you can truly begin your journey.

When you look back, over your past, make a note of the decisions you have made that have brought you to this point in your life. Write them down if you have to. The Holy Spirit is wonderful at this as He is at all things. Prayerfully ask Him to help you to remember, things from your past, that are affecting you today. As He reveals them to you write them down, good and bad. This could take a while depending on how much you've been through, don't rush it, take your time and allow the Holy Spirit to lead you, but don't dwell or obsess over them, this is a rejuvenating work and He will reveal over time all you need to know and remember. Reflect honestly and critically, don't gloss over the unfavourable parts, remember this is for a new successful you and you want to be the best that you can be. It starts with true reflection and change for the better. This honest, critical view of yourself and your past is your critical first step towards permanent, positive change. Leaving this step out will guarantee failure, it will also ensure you making the same mistakes over again. Admission is the first step to recovery and when dealing with deep seated hurt and emotional trauma, a lot of the root causes are locked away in the mind's built-in defense mechanism, which is to block out and not remember, along with denial. Many physical and psychological symptoms have their strength and roots in traumatic experiences, which have often occurred in childhood, locked away in the mind and have to be dealt with for true and effective healing to take place. The good news is that once there is acceptance of a problem existing, then the Lord, who is the greatest Healer of all time, can step in and bring that permanent balm of healing.

Once you've got them written down, look over them and group them into good decisions that have positively influenced your life and can if need be repeated in the future, and bad ones that have negatively impacted on your life and which you regret making. The ones that have not really influenced your life either way can be filed away under information, for future reference.

Now the bad decisions or mistakes have value for only one purpose, and that is to teach you never to make them again. It is utter foolishness to think that you can say or do the same things, and achieve a different result. Learn from your mistakes, whether it be in relationships, finances, ministry, health or whatever else. If it didn't work for you the first time then there is an almost certain probability that it won't the second or even for some third time around. Some people spend years going around in circles, making the same mistakes, falling for the same kind of people, looking for a different result from doing the same thing. It's time you realize and acknowledge what is not working and next time don't make the same mistake.

Learn from your past experiences, if not you will end up making the same mistakes. That is why it is important to realize and acknowledge, that they are mistakes, write them down, admit they were mistakes, say to yourself that you won't make them again and then don't. That's most important, the doing part, many people say they are not going to and then do it again anyway, but don't you be one of those people. Mistakes are vital for learning, when you make them, don't sit and brood over them, feeling sorry for yourself, but pick yourself up, dust yourself off, learn the lesson and don't do it again.

The guiding light to decision making is the word of God. It is ".... A lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Psalm 119:105). A quality decision based on the word of God is the best you will ever make. Obedience to the word of God is a definite guarantee of success. The next time you have to decide, ask God in prayer first, then read in His word and do what He says. Those decisions you made in the past, compare them to the word of God and see whether they were good or bad. The ones that are in accordance to the word of God will always be the right ones. They guarantee success, they bring reward. Make a quality decision to obey the word of God, not your or anyone else's opinion, trend or emotion, in every area of your life, as the bible says, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way."(Psalm 37:23). This means that he is happy with the direction his life is taking based on decisions taken in...