When Painful Memories Persist
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In today's world
a great emphasis is being placed on dealing with painful or disturbing
memories. But not all the theories offered to deal with this problem
are in keeping with the Holy Scriptures. Some suggest that painful memories
such as memories of deep horror or severe hurt can be obliterated. They
can't. We can not ever completely forget what has been done to us, but
what God is able to do is remove the burning sensation that accompanies
hurtful memories and deliver us from their cutting acuteness.
Before we ask God to deal with any disturbing memories
of the past, we ought to consider very carefully the possibility of
hatred and bitterness being resident in our hearts as a consequence
of what has happened to us. Some theories of counselling encourage people
to picture in their mind the person who hurt them or abused them, and
vent their hatred or bitterness on them in an imaginary way. This is
a technique that is in conflict with the Scriptures. The Bible encourages
us to forgive our enemies, not rail against them. When forgiveness flows
from the heart then the condition is right to invite God to remove from
the memory all sense of hurt or shame.
Consider how God did this with Joseph. Though he had been
flung into a pit, sold by his own brothers, slandered by a lascivious
woman, and thrust into prison, there came a time when all this was behind
him, and he realised after his firstborn son arrived that God had made
him forget (Genesis 41:51). It was not that his memories of the
past had been expunged. It was rather that the sharp edge had come off
them. And what God did for Joseph He can do also for you. Be encouraged.
"Remember ye not the former things, neither
consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall
spring forth...." Isaiah 43:18-19.
"O Father, through and by Your grace forgive
me of all the hurt I caused toYou and others by my sins. Now by your
grace I offer forgiveness to all those who have ever hurt me or abused
me. Take each one of my hurting memories and remove the pain. Fill me
with Your love and healing in the Name that is above every Name-the
Name of Jesus.Amen."
Scriptures on which to reflect:
1. Recieve God's forgiveness for your life: 1 John 1:8-9;
Isaiah 1: 18-19.
2. Forgive as you have been forgiven: Colossians 3: 13.
3. Unforgivenesss blocks God's work in and through you:
Mark 11: 25.
4. Forgiveness must be without measure: Matthew 18: 21-22.
5. Forget techniques-trust in God to make you whole: Isaiah
50: 10.
6. No one but God can restore the soul: Psalm 23: 3.
7. No one has been hurt more than our Lord Jesus Christ:
Hebrews 2: 18.
8. Christ knows exactly how we feel: Hebrews 4: 15.
9. Be an overcomer: Romans 12: 21.
********************************Letter # 32 (26.8.2000).*****************
