Countless people today are nurturing their pasts with great care. Instead of bringing their history to Christ, they have continued to advance with broken hearts over past failures with which they never have dealt. As a result, many remain captives of their former days, allowing the emotion of shame to rule instead of the peace of God.
I know firsthand how painful and scary it is to bring our pasts to Christ, but I also know the freedom that comes from doing so. I had to entrust not only my past to God, but my disappointment and shame as well.
“Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
I spent numerous years running from my “yesterdays,” and I suffered greatly for it. I felt it was too painful to discuss my past with God. I was embarrassed by the choices I had made and feared anyone finding out. Yet my denial to face my Savior was delaying the healing He so desired to bring.
One evening, I walked into my closet, sat down in the dark—and through the Spirit’s guidance, I made a decision to bring my history to God. In that moment, His grace collided with my shame, overtaking my broken heart with love.
God gave me the courage to bring my past to His throne room of grace, and grace was just what I experienced. No more Band-Aids placed upon my life’s issues, but instead, a divine intervention by God Himself. He wanted my yesterdays so He could give me His tomorrows of new beginnings. He wanted my fears so He could grant me His peace.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity but of power, love, and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7).
While walking through the restoration journey, we can quickly become apprehensive, especially if we focus on our circumstances rather than on God. Yet remember, whatever we allow to draw our attention will certainly captivate our hearts. I remember frequent periods where the enemy would tempt me to dwell on the uncertainties of my past. Yet, I eventually came to realize the enemy was devising a strategic plan to build strongholds. For Satan knew if he could keep me living in fear, I would never embrace or even know the freedom God so longed to give me.
Fear is a tool of the enemy to retain us in bondage to our pasts, and when we surrender to its power, it will have crippling impacts on our lives. Yet, in Isaiah 41:10, God tells us not to fear for the sole reason that He is with us. “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
When I relinquished everything to God—my past and all my mistakes, He began a most amazing work in my heart. God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).
Remember, fear will drive us away from God while surrender will bring us to Him. Choose today to bring your past to Christ, while knowing with certainty that you are safe in His hands in doing so. He is a Redeemer and a Restorer, making all things new! Let God hold you, not your past. Let God define you, not your past.
Prayer: Dear Lord, my past has many moments, which fear and shame would love to claim, but today I am asking You for the courage to bring it all to Your throne room of grace. I cannot fix it, I cannot change it, and I cannot make it disappear, but this I know, You can take it, You can redeem it, You can restore it, and You can bring good from it for Your glory and for my best. Today, the past that has been holding me hostage, so I give to you. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
