Working long hours, studying and using spare time to reach out to those in need of love, care and hope. That was my life for many years, leaving me at some point completely overwhelmed, stressed, tired and hardly available for my own family.
At that point in time, all seemed too much, and decisions had to be made as to where do you let go, as all seemed equally important. Yes, good comes to those who love the Lord (Romans 8:28) and yes, hard work is rewarded (Colossians 3:23 – 24), maybe not at that point in time, but further down the line in your career or even in your family’s life. Blessings often comes not just to the one who gives their time, energy and finances, but it also comes on their families and loved ones.
You see, for years I worked extra hours to help establish a specific environment in my workplace. That off course, took extra time as we needed to implement and staff, new structures and train people but at the same time, we had to roll out new objectives. Although tiring, having little sleep and sometimes just wanting out, the reward that came later, was immeasurable.
Now, many years later, this environment is on the map, giving people the opportunity to grow and be empowered. You see, victory is sweet, but it does not come without a history. For me it was years of late nights, infights, lack of funds etc, but today we remember the victory which came because of a history.
Often people want to forget the history and I ask myself why? Is it not the history that helps us to build on a better future? Well, the answer depends on the person involved. Yes, in most cases the history that caused pain in families, businesses and friendships was because of amongst other things, rejection, bullying, abuse, strife, anger and constant conflict.
To say these things did not happen or that they did not cause pain, would be a lie. However, the reality is also that these things, even if it was yesterday, happened in the past. I can’t change my past and neither can you change yours. Yes, we all, at some point in our lives, have experienced the things mentioned above, but the reality remains that it happened in the past, making it part of our history.
History can’t be rewinded and neither rewritten. What history can do, is to build us and make us stronger and wiser, for then we can use it to move forward, taking up every opportunity God gives us. Does it change the fact that something bad has happened? NO! Does it change the fact that you got hurt? NO! Are you the only one who has ever gone through this kind of history? NO! So, what then am I saying?
You see, there would be no stories to tell, without a history, whether good or bad. We all have choices on what we will do with the history in our lives. If it was something good, we normally smile, build memories and move forward. However, if it was something bad, we often find it difficult to forgive and let go. Many say, forgive and release and let us talk about this. I think, once saved in Christ, people realise that if they do not forgive, they can’t be forgiven (Matthew 6:14 – 15) and hence it becomes a blessing blocker in their lives, should they choose not to forgive.
To forgive, according to the online Oxford Languages Dictionary, means to “stop feeling angry or resentful towards (someone) for an offence, flaw, or mistake.” It also refers to “pardon, excuse, exonerate and cancel.” So, to me, to forgive includes to exonerate, which means letting go and releasing it, an all-in-one process.
I spend time with many people, and I tell you today that many people simply keep on holding to their pasts, allowing it to bring fear, resentment and ultimately destroying their hope, happiness and future. If someone has done the unthinkable to you, is today not the time to let it go? You might say that you have forgiven them, but if it still drives your emotions, feelings and decisions, perhaps you need to go before the Lord again and make sure that you forgive 100% with all your heart.
As I already said, release should come automatically with forgiveness and let me tell you that satan also knows this. Remember that he only has a past and no future and hence, he specializes in reminding people of their past and uses it to stop them from living a prosperous future. What we must remember is that he can only do so if we allow him.
Yes, you have a history, and so do I; but we also have a future. Do not choose to be stuck in the history. Allow history to strengthen you and grow you. Let it become your testimony that fuels you to help others and to live a better future. If you have issues with someone, whether a colleague or family member, whether about something that happened now or long ago, take it to the Lord and sort this matter out. Your future depends on it!
Jesus Christ hung on a cross, after being falsely accused, arrested, brutally tormented, and then killed like a criminal, when in fact he was innocent. Yes, Jesus did that for you and me so that we can receive His forgiveness when we ask His forgiveness for the same things repeatedly. His history is now our daily victory! If He, who died for us shedding every drop of blood in His body for you and me, can forgive us daily, why can we not do the same by forgiving those who have hurt and wronged us?
Yes, there is a history, but I stress it again, there would be no victory without a history!
I end with the wise words of Nelson Mandela: “A I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison.” Is this where you want to remain, in prison, or do you want to be free? Yes, the history comes with you, but it should not control you. Use your history as a testimony to build a brighter and better future. The choice is yours!
Love in Christ
Princess K