Those who love God know the great difference between his unlimited favor and his ultimate favor.”
–Gary Wilkerson
My Mom, the dear lady, spend the last years of her life living in regret. She would think about the things that her family lost during the depression. She would think about the war and mistakes she made through her life. She simply could not let go of the past. One time I was speaking with her and I said, “Mom, surely there must have been some good in the past. Why must you dwell only on the negative?” She didn’t have an answer for me.
Don’t get me wrong. I am a firm believer in the importance of the past. After all I’ve taught history for close to forty years. The past is important for it helps guide our decisions today. The past is important for it can be a cement that binds the family together. The past is important because of memories that move into the present. The past is important for the lessons and experiences that should help us make better decisions in the now. The past points us to the faithfulness of God and therefore gives us hope for today and the future.
However, there are many things in the past that we should let go of. Let the negative go except for the lessons. Let the dirty laundry go, for you are now a new creation. Don’t dwell on the “ifs” and the “what might have beens.” In other words, let it go.
We must remember that God is with us (Immanuel) and He has a plan for us. He is there each step of the way and is preparing a home for us in glory. I want to share something with you that I read this week. It is from Dave Roever. (Want to know a hero of the faith, go to his website. He has an amazing story that shows the faithfulness of God and His grace.)
“Let It Go!
It never hurts to be reminded of God’s faithfulness, His provision, and His plan for our lives.
Healthcare?
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. (Proverbs 17:22)
Tax, tax and more tax?
A little that a righteous man has is better than the riches of many wicked. For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous. (Psalm 37:16-17)
Wars raging?
And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. (Matthew 24:6)
God is on His throne! God is in control! I am free from fear and doubt.
Whatever is keeping you from living in the peace God has designed for your life, let it go.”
Truly history is what links the past with the present and the present with the future, but all of the junk–let it go. Do not do things today that can make you live your last days in regret. Do not let the present be wasted so that you will twiddle your thumbs and think of the wasted days of yesterday. Let it go and trust in the Lord.