I was talking to a friend about some of the reasons we stay stuck. We want to move forward, but feel like we are standing still, or going around in circles.
Sometimes it helps to follow a trail back to where we may have gotten stuck in the first place.
Exploring
As my friend and I were talking with each other and praying to God, we got the word picture of being explorers. That can be a helpful word picture. It can help us be removed from the emotional components we may have of self-blame and shame. We are simply “exploring.”
So what happens when you are exploring, and you find a memory?
What I have learned about memories is that they can reveal some “wonky” thinking. We attach a label to the memory that is loaded with harmful lies. Some labels we attach are: “I’m not good enough,” “Other people will always hurt me,” or God doesn’t care.” These labels and thoughts are the things that keep us stuck.
The memory is often benign, just simply something that happened. That is why people can go through similar events and come out with different results.
How does God want to do help us here?
Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. Psalm 34:5 NLT
God desires truth in our innermost places. Psalm 51:6 NIV
For example, my foster kids had significantly sad memories. But the ones who turned to the Lord, and learned to re-label the memories in His care, had different results. They were the ones that turned around to help others instead of living in bitterness and anger.
What would happen when a memory came to mind, we saw it more as simply something “discovered?”
What if like an artifact, we gave it to God to put a new label on it?
The alternative of just leaving it in the ground has consequences.
More next week…
Your Turn
What do you do with unpleasant memories that come up?
How might God want to help you?
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Traveling on God’s path of joy.
S
P.S. I would just LOVE to hear from you.
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