#480 Rewriting our Negative Memories and Thoughts Psalm 19:14 Part 4
A Testimony
So the LORD showed me that the greatest vulnerability in the wall of my character is how I define past experience with a focus on the pain and on taking things personally, and how I let that define who I am.
“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 There is a reason the scriptures say to rejoice, pray and be thankful in every circumstance. Whatever our experiences, looking for the gift, bringing every thought to Them in prayer and gratitude frees our minds from the finite prison of pain and drama to the infinitely loving purpose of the Heavenly Father on our behalf.
I was inspired to make a list of my past memories that are still charged with pain or regret, and to “rewrite” them according to Divine intention. Here a two examples:
I used to think of myself as an Outsider, not included, not wanted. Now I realize that even this this ‘story’ that I made up can be very valuable. It has made me sensitive to act with a welcoming spirit toward others that seem alone. And the truth is that I AM NOT ALONE! I read into circumstances to come to that conclusion. Most of the time it is my imagination working overtime! I am INSIDE the fellowship of My Heavenly Father and my Lord Jesus. I am under HIS WINGS! (And how included is that???!!!) Psalm 91:1 In the times we may feel alone, 1 Peter 5:7-9 states the Truth: “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that THE SAME EXPERIENCES of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.”
I used to think that the cutting off of past opportunities for service was a personal attack and a statement about my inability to serve in that area. Now I picture the loving intention of the Husbandman as he prunes the vine of my life. Enter the joy in His Heart as He cuts and prunes and anticipates the growth. This is another ‘story’ that I made up, reading into the intentions of others and experiencing the closed door of service as a personal attack. It blinded me to the depth of His intention for the greatest blessing and the full enjoyment and appreciation of the amazing opportunities that replaced previous ways of serving.
It can be embarrassing to admit our patterns to ourselves and to others.
It has taken me over forty years to clearly see this pattern of ‘secret faults.’ Again I am reminded of a point in one of the discourses: ‘Be brutally honest and don’t be discouraged once we learn the truth: approve of the process He uses! We are HIS workmanship!’ Ephesians 2:10
A Sister shared in a testimony: Bloom in God’s due time: it will be the perfect time!
We need to trust HIS timing. …Afterwards…”we can see that it [the Training Experience] has quietly produced the fruit of real goodness in the characters of those who have accepted it in the right spirit.” Hebrews 12:11 Phillips
A Testimony
So the LORD showed me that the greatest vulnerability in the wall of my character is how I define past experience with a focus on the pain and on taking things personally, and how I let that define who I am.
“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 There is a reason the scriptures say to rejoice, pray and be thankful in every circumstance. Whatever our experiences, looking for the gift, bringing every thought to Them in prayer and gratitude frees our minds from the finite prison of pain and drama to the infinitely loving purpose of the Heavenly Father on our behalf.
I was inspired to make a list of my past memories that are still charged with pain or regret, and to “rewrite” them according to Divine intention. Here a two examples:
I used to think of myself as an Outsider, not included, not wanted. Now I realize that even this this ‘story’ that I made up can be very valuable. It has made me sensitive to act with a welcoming spirit toward others that seem alone. And the truth is that I AM NOT ALONE! I read into circumstances to come to that conclusion. Most of the time it is my imagination working overtime! I am INSIDE the fellowship of My Heavenly Father and my Lord Jesus. I am under HIS WINGS! (And how included is that???!!!) Psalm 91:1 In the times we may feel alone, 1 Peter 5:7-9 states the Truth: “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that THE SAME EXPERIENCES of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.”
I used to think that the cutting off of past opportunities for service was a personal attack and a statement about my inability to serve in that area. Now I picture the loving intention of the Husbandman as he prunes the vine of my life. Enter the joy in His Heart as He cuts and prunes and anticipates the growth. This is another ‘story’ that I made up, reading into the intentions of others and experiencing the closed door of service as a personal attack. It blinded me to the depth of His intention for the greatest blessing and the full enjoyment and appreciation of the amazing opportunities that replaced previous ways of serving.
It can be embarrassing to admit our patterns to ourselves and to others.
It has taken me over forty years to clearly see this pattern of ‘secret faults.’ Again I am reminded of a point in one of the discourses: ‘Be brutally honest and don’t be discouraged once we learn the truth: approve of the process He uses! We are HIS workmanship!’ Ephesians 2:10
A Sister shared in a testimony: Bloom in God’s due time: it will be the perfect time!
We need to trust HIS timing. …Afterwards…”we can see that it [the Training Experience] has quietly produced the fruit of real goodness in the characters of those who have accepted it in the right spirit.” Hebrews 12:11 Phillips
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