by Dona Hake
Yesterday during my husband’s sermon he said something that just inspired my heart for this devotional. “If you live in the past, you’ll have no current joy.” I think one of the saddest things is seeing people live in the pain of their past yet they have so much to be thankful for in the present moment. If you live in the past, even when there are good things going on around you, you may be hindered from even noticing them. The past has the ability to rob you of the good things that are in your life RIGHT NOW! We need to stop and purposely think of each and every good thing that God has blessed us with. If you allow your mind to dwell on the memories of the past you will miss the joy of the moment.
Philippians 3:13 (TLB)
“No, dear brothers, I am still not all I should be, but I am bringing
all my energies to bear on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead…”
I want to encourage you today that if you are tempted to look over your shoulder into your past to stop! Stop and look at who you are today and how far God has brought you. Stop and think about every blessing you possess whether it be spiritual blessings, family, friends or material things. Let us not allow the wonderful joys in our present be robbed from us because we feel we are unable to go forward. Know this, God can heal you from the pain and scars of your past. He can give you hope for a future, and He can bring joy unspeakable into your heart and peace that passes all understanding that will permeate your mind. Enjoy the current joys that are around you and allow God to give you the strength to continue to move forward!
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