Dealing with the past

[Betty]

Author: Woodrow Kroll
Tony Beckett
Genesis 41-42, Matthew 12:1-23
Key Verses: Genesis 41:51-52

“Deal with it!” is a phrase often heard today.
Sometimes it is accompanied with the
encouragement to “get over it.” These phrases can
be like a form of shock counseling. Hit over the
head with a blunt piece of advice, a person
realizes, hopefully, that it is time to “move
on.”<br>
When Manasseh was born to Joseph and his wife,
Joseph chose a name that meant “forget” because
God had made Joseph to forget all his trouble
(41:51). His brother’s name, Ephraim, meant
“twice fruitful” to remind Joseph that God had
made him fruitful in the land of his suffering
(v. 52).

Joseph definitely grew up in a dysfunctional
family. There was enough wrong done to him to
last several generations. He was sold into
slavery, falsely accused of attempted seduction,
imprisoned and even forgotten by those he
helped-more than enough to warrant a lifetime
crippled by the past.

Yet the past did not dominate and control Joseph.
Instead, he kept his focus on God. By God’s grace
and with God’s help, he put the past behind him
and rejoiced in the blessings of the present.

By God’s grace and with His help, so can you.

Perhaps there is pain in your past. Leave it
there. Don’t let the past control your present.
By God’s grace you can be the person He wants you
to be, not one in bondage to previous
experiences.
____________________________________________________________

[Betty]

It isn't talking about forgetting your past. You just do not have to be a slave to it. Every thing that happens to you shapes who you are but with God's help you can learn to deal with it so it doesn't have to ruin your future.

[Becky]

The Bible tells us that it is "...a word unto thy feet and a light unto thy path." In God's word he promise's forgiveness for our past. I have no choice but to claim that promise as a true gift for myself because I have a past that nobody but God and myself truly know the depth of. I have asked his forgiveness and trust his faithfullness and his word that he has forgiven me. When I am reminded of the horrific's of my past, I know that it is Satan doing this because God also promised me that my sins are "...as far as the east is to the west..." and "...in the sea of his forgetfullness..." I can't help but PRAISE him for his promises.

[BeckyL]

But......let me say this. I totally understand the concept about your "past" interweiving into your present. I agree 100 %. We are the person today that we were forming throughout the years preceeding this moment. Betty, you said it right too. We don't have to let our past ruin our future......we need to use our past to keep us in check with God...family.....friends....employer.....co-workers.....and others that our lives touch daily. We can only be what we OUGHT to be by being led daily by the Holy Spirit which lives within us. God gave us a mind. We have an option to do right or wrong. He gave us that priviledge. Right isn't always easy, but it's always best for us. ( I'm speaking for myself here!)

[Ka Terra Crayton]

I agree, dealin with your past isn't always easy. But it's worth it. To be able to walk up to the very ones who hurt you, look them in the eyes, and smile. That's something

[forgiven]

It is wonderful if it is done with true love and true frogiveness behind it.