“For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and humble of spirit, to restore the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite” (Isaiah 57:15, KJV)

For years, there was a place in my life where I still felt like a wounded teenager. I was physically moving forward, but spiritually and emotionally, I was completely stuck. The childhood issues paled in comparison to the teenage traumas; they left me so wounded in my soul that I couldn’t move beyond that moment in time.

What’s causing you to be stuck in time? Is it hurt? Disappointment? Trauma? Or abandonment? These are some of the classic emotional predators that rob us of our victories in life. Although, we may be getting older, the hurt still lingers and debilitates our real growth.

It’s time to let go of the past!!! However, you have to acknowledge the issues that have been so stuffed down into your soul that you have forgotten about them, because you never wanted to face them again, or you were battling so many issues that you just couldn’t face them. Yet, they are still lingering in your soul wreaking havoc on your life.

Yes, it’s scary, but it’s necessary for you to get free. When you face these issues and let God’s love and grace deliver you, they will not and cannot haunt you ever again. Remember, “He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds” (Psalm 147:3, NLT).

How do I get free? I’m so glad you asked. By seeing the issues and understanding that it was something that happened to you or through you, but it’s not you. As a believer, you are a new creation in Christ Jesus. “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NLT).

Wow!!! Now that’s the “good news” we need to remember. Your past has passed away. You are forgiven and made anew. Those events are over, and guess what? God got you through each and every one of them. They are now only memories, not realities.

I know, it was painful and very shameful. I understand your pain, but I don’t want the pain to remain. If you are here physically, you can’t be there emotionally. Where would you rather be? Today is much more blessed than yesterday. I thank God that mine is and I hope yours is too.

It’s not easy to let go sometimes, because we sometimes use the hurt of the past as an emotional crutch. But you don’t need a crutch if you let God take your brokenness. Then you can walk freely with no crutches. Although you may be left with scars from the past, you will no longer have any open wounds. The scars are just reminders that you won the battle. Now all you have to do is forgive those who caused it. 

Prayer:

Father, in the name of Jesus, please help me to face me. My past is too big for me to face alone, so I've been running from it. Help me to face it, so You can help me to overcome it and move forward in Your plans for my life and future. After I face it, help me to forgive myself and everyone else involved in my hurt. Amen.