Desire Peace? Do Not Remember the Former Things

Desire Peace? Do Not Remember the Former Things – Today’s Devotional – December 15, 2023

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” —Philippians 4:8

What do you think about in your spare time? Our thoughts are the number one reason we do not possess God’s peace. Take a moment to reflect on your thoughts for today. Were your thoughts positive and healthy? Did you focus on God’s goodness? Or did past memories steal your joy?

The memories of an unhealthy past has a stronghold on many believers. If our thoughts include regret from mistakes, anger from the loss of material things, unforgiveness from unhealthy childhoods, and the break-up of relationships and marriages, or hopelessness from unexpected life events that changed the trajectory of our life then we have major stumbling blocks to overcome before we can receive and enjoy God’s gift of internal peace.

Every Believer’s Spiritual Gifts: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” —2 Timothy 1:7

For those suffering from intrusive thoughts of the past, please know that unforgiveness produces the emotions of fear, anger, bitterness, despair, and resentment which take root in the heart. If your past causes regret then your heart is filled with guilt, remorse, and sorrow.

As time progresses, these emotions escalate and weaken your sound mind. Not only are you facing past remembrances, but your heart is filled with unrighteous traits that separate you from God.

“And Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, ‘Why are you thinking evil things in your hearts?’ ” (Matthew 9:4). From Jesus’ question to the Pharisees, we see that our thoughts reveal the hidden condition of our hearts. To gain victory over our thoughts [and receive peace] our hearts must be converted.

For us to rid ourselves of unrighteous thoughts, we must pray for forgiveness, and ask God to give us a clean heart. Our surrender allows the Holy Spirit to convert and transform our hearts and characters into the likeness of Christ. Overcoming intrusive thoughts and displaced emotions becomes part of our spiritual journey.

“Do not remember the former things, Or ponder the things of the past. ‘Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even put a road in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.’ ” —Isaiah 43:18, [Amplified Bible]

Christ is Our Example: The attitude of a believer is to resemble the attitude of Christ. Every day Christ was rejected by the Pharisees and many scoffers. Did you know that when Jesus was in the synagogue at Nazareth [the town in which Joseph, Mary, Jesus, and His siblings lived], the people became angry and attempted to throw Him off of a cliff? [Read Luke chapter 4, verses 16-30].

Jesus left us with a characteristic we must model. On the cross, He prayed, “Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.’ And they divided His garments and cast lots” (Luke 23:34).

The habit of focusing on the past is one of the toughest habits to overcome. Many Christians have held onto unforgiveness or guilt for so long that they no longer have a relationship with Christ. We must let go! When negative thoughts threaten to break our resolve and leave us feeling powerless, we must immediately pray! Persevere in prayer!

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” —Hebrews 4:16

The intentional action of talking to God is our only effective weapon against past thoughts. Pray the simple prayer of “God, I need Your help.” Do not rush your worship with God. You are praying for deliverance! Keep praying, day-by-day, until you gain victory.

All heaven is on alert from the cries of the righteous for Divine help. No, we cannot cleanse our minds or prevent the triggers that produce the uprising of painful memories. Yet, with the strength of the Holy Spirit, we are given the spiritual ability to do what we cannot do in our human weaknesses.

Only Divine Power can break the stronghold of our thoughts. We must remain in the posture of worship until we feel the comfort and power of the Holy Spirit. Yes, we can feel the sweet peace of deliverance. Through the Holy Spirit, Christ imparts His peace and spiritual strength which permeates your mind, body, and soul. You will feel empowered by the Spirit of God.

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” —Psalm 147:3

God does not desire for the righteous to remain broken. Although we are not promised physical healing, Jesus promises to heal our mental and emotional wounds and to fill our spiritual emptiness when we ask for healing. To remain broken not only prevents us from having a relationship with Christ, we would fail to receive spiritual growth and transformation.

Only Christ can give us freedom from past remembrances and displaced emotions. If we understood the power of prayer, without fail, we would intentionally place ourselves in the presence of God throughout our waking hours. Prayer redirects our focus to the majesty and power of our Heavenly Father.

STOP: [Stand-down Thoughts of Past Events]

Humanity was not only created in the physical image of God but we also were created to have the mind of Christ. We have identified praying as the first response to cease thinking about the past, but we also must exercise faith in God and utilize self-control. Self-control is a Fruit of the Spirit that allows us to STOP the unhealthy thoughts of our past lives.

Reflection: Think of something you want to buy, and you don’t have enough money, but can’t use credit. Your sound mind and the attribute of self-control prevent you from becoming obsessed with your desire. Would you let that desire overpower your mind and think about nothing else? Certainly not! Until you are in the position to financially afford the item you choose not to remember your desire.

Desire Peace? The Path to Peace requires us to use our gift of a sound mind, exercise the fruit of self-control, and focus on the Giver of all Good Gifts. Choose not to remember! God has promised to do new things in our lives if we give up the negativity of our past. With joyful anticipation, we can expect God to bring His promises to fruition in our lives.

Prayer: Lord God, we thank You for creating us in Your image. We pray for the anointing, power, and presence of the Holy Spirit to deliver us from the stronghold of the intrusive thoughts of our past or an unknown future. Lord, we pray for healing and peace. Thank You for Your abundant love. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

© 2023 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions and Woman, You Are Loved by God Ministries