Freedom From Your Past - Full of Freedom

“The LORD is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. The LORD is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation.” (Psalm 145:8-9, NLT)

“We need to talk about our pasts…”

A conversation I dreaded having at one point in my life. My now husband, Ryan, and I were dating and things were getting serious. Heading toward what looked like an engagement, there were obvious conversations we needed to have. One of them obviously being our pasts. We each knew bits and pieces of each other’s history, but I had never actually gotten into the details of my past. With anyone. Even myself. It was an area that I avoided with every fiber of my being. But one that I knew if I wanted the future God had for me, I needed to face the past that haunted me.

So the question is: How do we deal with our past in a way that can bring healing and freedom?

First, we must understand what is holding us back from freedom when it comes to this area. We have to understand shame.

If I could give the SparkNotes version (I encourage you to read the entire story!), shame entered the Garden in Genesis 3 when Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden tree – going against God’s command for them. Once they made that decision, making them realize they were naked and exposed, they turned away from God instead of running to Him. When we hide from God, we experience shame. Running away from God produces shame. Running to God produces freedom. Our direction dictates our freedom.

The problem with shame is that it doesn’t just fixate on what we’ve done. It convinces us that what we’ve done is actually who we are. It’s a lie that attacks our truest identity.

So this shame…. What do we do with it?! And how can we get our freedom back?

Friend, we need to go back to our past. I know. It feels hard. It’s scary. And painful. And a million other things. BUT, I have good news for you.

You don’t have to go back to the past with the enemy. For years, this is why I never could find freedom from my past. It’s because I was going back with the wrong voices. I was going with the enemy. When we go back with the enemy, the master of lies, he will continue to keep us replaying the same old mistakes over and over again, with no relief in sight.

No. Let’s not go back with him. Let’s go back with Jesus. The enemy wants to take us back to relive. Jesus wants to take us back to redeem. He can be trusted with the most vulnerable, delicate parts of you without putting you to shame. Scripture tells us that he is gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, and full of mercy. (Psalm 145:8)

So if you want freedom, go back with Jesus and let him do what he’s best at: taking the hardest moments of our past and redeeming it in a way only he can. He will redeem spaces, friendships, memories, hometowns, fatherhood, family, and more. You name it, He can redeem it.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

• What are some of the ways you have let shame keep you from freedom?
• Are there areas of your life that you would like to see Jesus move in and redeem? If so, what areas?
• Who is one safe person you could have a conversation with about the details of your past?

CHALLENGE

This week, I encourage you to take some time to write out some moments of your past that feel painful for you. Spend some time in prayer over these memories asking Jesus to show you where he was in them and to redeem them in only ways He can. And watch what He does!