Get REAL: Straight Talk About Your Faith #3
Breaking Free from the Power of the Past
Our past holds immense power over us, often shaping our identities and influencing our behaviors. Some people remain shackled by past pain, remorse, or regrets, while others dismiss it entirely, focusing solely on the future. Neither approach is healthy. To live fully, we must acknowledge how our past—our family, upbringing, relationships, and traumas—has shaped who we are today.
As I started writing this, I realized the depth and complexity of the subject. We often oversimplify our faith, urging each other to “Let go and let God,” but sometimes failing to recognize just how fearfully and wonderfully made we are as human beings. Understanding and addressing our past is crucial for emotional and spiritual health. We must remain mindful of God’s work in our lives, examining our past and seeking God’s help to break free from its power.
The Good News is that in Christ, we are not bound by our past. Jesus Christ transforms lives, cleanses all sins, heals wounds, and frees us from bondage. However, aligning our emotional and physiological realities with our spiritual reality takes time and effort. This is why Emotionally Healthy Discipleship[i] emphasizes the importance of looking back in order to move forward. While we cannot change the past, we can allow God to change us by understanding what we are up against from our past.
Consider this scenario: you see paint bubbling on your windowsill. Your first thought might be to repaint. However, bubbling paint could indicate termites beneath the surface—a much deeper issue. If we rush ahead to treat the presenting problem, the underlying issue will continue to cause unseen destruction. Similarly, to be free from the past, we must understand and address the sometimes unseen underlying issues that exist.
2 Corinthians 5:17 states, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” This verse encapsulates the gospel message: those who believe in Christ are transformed. Being “in Christ” means putting our faith in Him, believing He lived a perfect life, died for our sins, and rose again to assure us of eternal life. This transformation makes us a new creation.
Yet, many of us still feel the remnants of our old selves. Justification through Christ is immediate, but sanctification—the process of becoming more like Christ—takes a lifetime. This ongoing transformation involves surrendering our lives to Jesus, allowing Him to heal our wounds and free us from past bondage.
The story of Joseph from Genesis 37-50 illustrates breaking free from the past. Despite coming from a dysfunctional family and being sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph remained faithful to God. Even after false accusations and imprisonment, he trusted God and rose to power in Egypt. When his brothers came seeking food during a famine, Joseph had the power to exact revenge but instead chose to forgive, seeing God’s hand in his journey. Joseph’s story teaches us to acknowledge our past, trust God’s plan, and rewrite our life script according to His will.
As we examine our family histories, we will undoubtedly uncover both positive and negative influences. These past experiences shape us but they do NOT have to define us. By partnering with God, we can break free from the power of the past and embrace the new creation He has made us to be.
In Christ, we are delivered from our past, and God works in amazing ways to transform our lives. Embrace this journey of faith, allowing God to heal and renew you.
[i] https://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/