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 | Blogs > miriana51 > My Blog > LEAVING THE PAST BEHIND |
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"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me....He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners." – Isaiah 61:1 If for any reason you missed yesterday's Positive Minute, I encourage you to go back and read it before reading today's devotional. Freedom came for Donna through two means: First, she faced up to the reality of her past and, in time, came to understand how the things that had happened to her when she was a girl had affected her. The most important lesson she learned is well stated by John Bradshaw in his book Homecoming: "That which is not worked out will be acted out." You must face up to the reality of the past – instead of staying "disconnected" from it – and come to grips with how the things that happened in the past have affected you. If you don't, those past events are going to manifest themselves in ways that aren't good for you or for other people. The second means by which Donna obtained her freedom was by better understanding the power of God to set the captive free. As a girl and a young woman Donna believed in God. She knew He was out there, but she really didn't understand that He cared for her personally or that He was interested in helping her overcome the fears and problems that kept her bound. In Donna's case, the primary problems within her family were made worse by alcohol abuse. Consequently, some of the problem areas she had to work on in her own life had to do with the dynamics surrounding alcoholism. Although alcoholism is more immediately obvious than some other dysfunctions, it is only one of many addictions that is used to cover up pain, divert feelings, and can tear a family apart. There were others. Some of these you may recognize in your own life. Guilt. Donna felt guilty most of the time. If there was something wrong, she assumed it was her fault and she was only too willing to take the blame. Donna had to come to the realization that she wasn't to blame for many of the things she felt guilty about and that forgiveness and absolution were available for the things she really was guilty of. Afraid to trust feelings. Donna learned not to trust her feelings. This is one of the family "rules" you learn in a home that is affected by alcoholism or some other addictive disease. Why? Because you look at what is going on in your family and think, "Something is wrong here," but Mom and Dad want me to believe that everything is fine. The unspoken message is, "Don’t worry about this. This is normal and happens in all families." Most children come to believe over time that the problem lies with them. Then as adults they don't trust their own perceptions and are afraid to let others know what they're thinking. Not trusting others. As an adult, Donna found that the lack of trust she felt toward her parents as a child was projected onto other people. She had a hard time believing people, especially people who cared about her and tried to express the way they felt. She needed constant reassurances, but sometimes all of the affirmation in the world wasn't enough for her to let her guard down. Donna was a lot like the character Charlie Brown, in the Peanuts comic strip, who believed that no problem is so big it can't be run away from. She is also quick to tell you that her relationship with God has helped her immensely in recognizing the existence of these problems, being willing to discuss them openly, and battling to overcome them. Whenever truth enters the door, freedom follows. * * * Thank You, Heavenly Father, for taking the blinds from my eyes and helping me to see my problems for what they are. Give me perseverance to move through my problems to freedom and peace. * * * |
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8/17/2008 11:58 pm |
Good one M... Lord only knows how i'm struggling to get over my past...& how much i want to move on with my lyf
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8/20/2008 11:13 pm |
Hi,Respected dear Miss Miriana,It is the good one again.`Whenever the truth enters the door,freedom follows`.Regards...peatt
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9/4/2008 3:10 pm |
miriana wisdom words...yes theres always a time to start over and take Gods hands.....and never forget that Psalm 23 - The Lord is My Shepherd The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
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