Do you find yourself reliving your past experiences and feeling negative emotions when you do? Do you remember words and actions that hurt you? Do you “keep the memories alive” by dwelling on them? Do you frequently talk to others about them? This is called “swirling in the pit.”
Maybe you were abused or neglected as a child, were the victim of bullying or humiliation, or one or more divorces have crushed your spirit and any hope of having a healthy, long-term relationship. Could it be that these experiences have covered you in anger, depression, low self-worth or fear of failure? You may realize that you have more negative thoughts than you do positive ones. Does that sound like you?
Let’s look at some truths:
- There is nothing you can do to change what has happened in the past. Even God Himself can’t change the past, right?
- Those hurtful people or experiences still have great power over you, if you are still angry or depressed about them.
- It may be possible that you have actually defined yourself by the abuse, divorce, abortion, or other experiences you have had.
- You are not a bad person; you are an injured person who can find healing in the truth of God’s Word.
- You were made by God and you are who He says you are; nothing more and nothing less.
- The enemy delights in telling you lies and keeping you away from God’s truths.
- You are stronger than you think, when you draw on the truths of the Bible.
- You are treasured, loved, accepted, forgiven and are priceless to God. Period.
When we swirl in all the negatives the enemy covers us with, we take our eyes off of who God says we are. We may try to rise out of it on our own, but we just keep being drawn back in every time we see someone who has hurt us or a memory comes to mind.
How do we step out of this pattern of swirling in our past?
- First of all, recognize that we are doing it in the first place.
- Secondly, refuse to get caught up in that thinking and stop it every single time.
- Thirdly, replace the negative by finding what nurtures your spirit, such as worship music, favorite Scriptures, an encouraging book, being with healthy friends, etc.
- Fourthly, set up boundaries so that you don’t spend too much time with those that will remind you of a painful past.
It will take focus and purpose to make these changes each time you are tempted to swirl, but before long, it will become second nature and you can rise out of the swirl and live a life of much more freedom to be who God made you to be in the first place.
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing, and perfect will.” Romans 12:2
Today is a new day. Time to look at where your mind spends most of its time. Negative or positive? Past offenses or future freedom? Small mind or wide open mind to the possibilities ahead? Your choice. Have a good, better and best day!
#chainednomore #hope #godslove #freedom #positivethinking
Need more help? Purchase Robyn’s new devotional book, “Visions of Him…Seeing God in Everyday Things” at www.amazon.com or www.robynbministries.com/store