Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead Phillippians 3:13 (NIV)
I was listening to yet another message asking us to forget those things which are behind, forget the past and move towards the future. I was maybe sensitive, but I cannot hear this message without feeling a little tender, defensive even. Perhaps its because I love details, I want more information. How do I do forget the past? Sometimes that can be a massive undertaking. The past has had an enormous impact on my life. Though I do not dwell on the specifics of what happened to me, I have to deal with the consequences of those incidents. I have had to be intentional in how I live, love and interact with others. So though I do not dwell on the past, its effects frequently affect my present.
Straining Toward what is Ahead
As we enter 2017, I chose a theme for my life that will help me put this verse in practice and better manage the impact of the past. I was able to do this because I have taken the time to process the effects of my pain. I have not hidden from the hurt of abuse or pretend that it did not wreak havoc in my life. It stole my joy for a long time and were it not for God, a good therapist and amazing friends who supported and loved me I would not have made this much progress. I also had to be intentional in my choices, and that is my theme for 2017. I will be intentional in how I Live, Love and Work. There are many components to this idea, but for now, I will be intentional in choosing to look after and nurture myself. I will honestly assess where I am and make conscious decisions about how to proceed.
Forgetting what is behind
Sometimes we are bombarded by the message of forgetting the past, and I know many like me struggle with it. Therefore it is so much more important that we process what has kept us in the past and take the necessary steps to ensure 2017 is different? Three Things for a different 2017
Three Things that will guarantee change in 2017
- Be intentional – Make the decision to love yourself, prioritise self-care and make conscious efforts to nurture those parts of you that needs it.
- Be decisive – There may be many things, people, or remnants of past hurts that have followed you around for years that you know needs letting go, however, until now, you were unsure of how to do it. Lean into the fear and make the cut. Yes, that’s right JUST DO IT. It may seem a little daunting now, but the relief that will come as a result will far surpass the nerves.
- Be prepared to not only listen but hear – Honesty is important especially to you. Take a moment and listen to your heart. Turn off all the noise, the music, the telephone, social media and spend the time to listen to what your heart is saying. In this space of silence that thing that you have drone out for years will come through, do not be afraid of it listen and make a decision to tackle it so that the next time you hear ‘forget those things which are behind’ you can smile, straighten your spine and exhale.