Asking if a person can move on from their past is like asking can a person get over an infection.  Why do I say this?  Because like an infection, past experiences can be overcome if dealt with or treated properly.  If left untreated or treated improperly though, it can linger and breed more problems for you in the long run.

Let’s look at the case of a bacterial infection.  When we are diagnosed with some type of infection, the doctor usually prescribes an antibiotic to rid our bodies of it.  With the prescription comes specific instructions such a,s take all of the medication even if you begin to feel better; take for a specific number of days and at specific times of the day; and take before or after meals.  These instructions must be followed for best results to occur.  What ‘s also important to note is that misuse of an antibiotic can develop a resistance, making it harder to treat future infections.

Okay, so how does this relate to a past that keeps haunting you or that people keep throwing in your face?  How you deal with your past is just as important as how you deal with an infection.  You can’t just ignore it as if it never happened or pretend that it is not affecting you when you know deep down that it really is.

Here are some things that may help to free you from the “dis-ease” of your past.

• Get to the root of the problem.  Don’t just try to deal with the symptoms.  You need to know who and what from your past is the source of your present pain.  Identifying or diagnosing the problem is the first step to healing because then you can begin treatment.  Prayer is a really good tool for investigating these kinds of things.  If you ask, the Holy Spirit will reveal it to you. (John 14:26)
• Learn to forgive.  If someone from your past is the source of your pain, treat it by giving it a good ol’ dose of forgiveness.  Not only does it set them free from the charge you are holding against them, but it sets you free as well.  Unforgiveness is bondage–not for the unforgiven, but for the unforgiver!  Again, there is help for those who feel that forgiveness is impossible based on the severity of the offense.  This may help–Jesus forgives any and all offenses, great, small, and in between–the ones committed by you and me. (Eph. 4:32)
• Make peace with yourself.  Once you’ve released the offender(s) through forgiveness, now make peace with yourself.  Yeah, it happened, but do not allow yourself to wallow in the memories of it by meditating on it or talking about it.  This only leads to pity parties, and trust me no one wants to be invited to that gathering.  Do what the Word of God advises, be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Rom. 12:2).  Let God’s Word change the way you think about the past.  No one said it better than Joseph after all he endured at the hands of his brothers, “You thought evil against me, but God meant it for good. (Gen. 50:20)  He has a way of making all things, not just some things, but all things work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. (Rom. 8:28)
• Fight to stay free.  When the urge to resent comes knocking on your door, especially when you are in the presence of the one you’ve forgiven, do all you can to maintain your new position.  Cast down every thought (you will have them) and every evil imagination (they will come) that sets itself up against the true knowledge of God, and lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ. (2 Cor. 10:5)  Additionally, how you deal with your past is how you will deal with your future when it eventually becomes your past. 

Proper use of the steps shared above will help to make your past a thing of the past.  Applied daily and with fervency, this can heal a multitude of hurt and help prevent further injury.

I’m not judgin’. I’m just sayin’. 

Can anyone help extend my metaphor even further?  I welcome your input.

Written by Briana Whitaker

http://www.mckinley.illinois.edu/handouts/antibiotics_qa.html