" Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!" says the Lord Isaiah 43: 18-19 NIV
The simple life is an unencumbered life, emotionally as well as physically. Sometimes, however, the pain of the past just won't let go. Take a few childhood disappointments. Add some minor resentments, major regrets, and painful injustices.
Before you know it, you're on the way to having a matched set of emotional baggage. It would be nice if getting rid of it were at easy as leaving it at God's doorstep, running the other direction, and never having to look at it again. But if you don't take time to unpack any emotional baggage you've acquired, you end up carrying to replay it around the rest of your life. Your mind will continue to replay unpleasant memories. Your body will be weighed down with anxiety, possibly resulting in stress-related illnesses. Your spirit will never fully experience the joy God has planned for you. That's because a heart filled with yesterday has no room to fully enjoy today.
The apostle Paul knew the importance of putting his past behind him. At one time, he was a powerful Jewish leader who persecuted and killed followers of Christ. Then he had a personal encounter with Jesus. His direction changed in an instant, though that didn't change his past. And yet the positive, life changing biblical letters Paul letter wrote, such as the letter to the Philippians, are filled with forgiveness and hope, not past regret. Paul unpacked the emotional baggage of the man he was to become the new man God created him to be.
Choosing to unpack emotional baggage is similar to cleaning out a suitcase after a trip. With emotional baggage, begin by throwing away trash ( past resentments and bitterness) and taking steps to forgive those who've hurt you. With your personal dirty laundry ( guilt or regret over things you've done or neglected to do), apologize or make necessary amends to those you've wronged. That includes apologizing to God and learning to forgive yourself.
Put everything you're holding on to in its proper place so you can focus on what lies ahead.
One Final Thought
Taking time to unpack the emotional clutter of yesterday allows you to more fully enjoy God's irreplaceable gift of today
Source: Simple Living for You ( God's Guide to Enjoying What Matters Most )
Labels: ... Leaving Your Yesterday's Behind ... |
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