In a world where technology is changing daily, I often like to explore the past. I love collecting old things. I’ve spent hours exploring antique shops-as I pick up an item, I imagine how it was used. I think about the family who must have sat at the old wooden table, eating off the antique dinner plates. We have come far since the days of typewriters and rotary phones, yet I think it’s important to be aware of how things used to be.
For it’s our past that shapes who we are today.
Those old wounds, hurts, and pains from long ago affect us deep inside. It shapes how we perceive and process the present circumstances in our lives. Frequent hurts delivered by loved ones in our past can make it hard to trust those we love today. Clinging to unforgiveness for pains of the past creates a heart resistant to forgiveness in the present.
While it is important to know where we’ve come from, the baggage from the past needs to stay there. The reason we learn about history and stories of the past is so that we don’t make the same mistakes our ancestors did.
When we don’t let go of and forgive those who have hurt us, we’ll carry that heavy baggage with us wherever we go. It will follow us into our future, affecting every relationship we may have. Like an antique collector whose collection warrants an episode on a reality show, the compounding effects of harbouring unforgiveness can threaten to bury us alive.
As our own Lord forgave those who hurt him the most, we must forgive all those who wound us. If we look back into our own history, we’ll see all the sins we’ve been forgiven. Knowing all we’ve been forgiven, how can we not forgive others? For as our Lord said, “for if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” (Matthew 6:14)
Each time we forgive those who hurt us in the past, it frees us to move forward into the future.
This is one of the hardest things for people who have been taught their whole lives to find the person to BLAME to understand and fully accept…
But I watched my husband forgive his parents for a childhood of abuse and lack of protection, and it freed him to become the man God is shaping him to be…
Beautiful thoughts, as always.
well said… Thanks for putting it into words, I started a similar post and couldn’t quite nail it down. Christ was wounded and by us. He has forgiven so much and shows us the way to forgive those who have wounded us. So thankful for His grace!
Fabulous post! Gosh, it’s taken me over three decades to chase those old skeletons out of my closet. Old hurts and the inability to forgive - wholeheartedly - tore me to pieces, left me angry and bitter, and forced me to construct a wall around myself. Thankfully our Lord is so very patient. He waited a long time, with His hand outstretched. Thank you for sharing!!
“Those old wounds, hurts, and pains from long ago affect us deep inside. It shapes how we perceive and process the present circumstances in our lives.” Oh…so very true. But, like you so beautifully shared, forgiveness is the first step to seeing things from a new perspective. It is in forgiveness that we are freed from the past to step into the future.
Great post!
We have so been deceived that those hurts are our crosses to bear - but it isn’t - Christ delivered us from that cross. Forgiveness throws them off our backs to live liberated as the Father created us to be. Those old hurts aren’t valuable antiques at all! I love how you put it in perspective!!!
I wrote about this subject this week as well, joining Ann. It was the most difficult post I ever wrote. God was directing me, as you. And we must follow. Thank you for your realness!
Wonderful word picture + photos that leads us into releasing our wounds to the Lord. Found you through Ann’s site. Blessings as you follow Him!!!
yes..it is our past that shapes who are are today…. A line from a song…I think it is point of grace…heal the wound leave the scar…the scars are like reading the history…but without the pain.
Pressing on into the future ….
Blessings..
Great thoughts! Love your blog!