Generally, people don’t like to dwell on painful memories. Most want to forget the difficult ending to a relationship, a betrayal or a loved one’s death. Such memories often cause heartache or anger to resurface.
To not be stuck in painful memories, we must remember two things: We must let go of emotions that surround the painful incident, and we must remember the incident and the lessons learned.
Does this sound contradictory? It’s not.
I went through a painful period. For years afterward, I harbored great resentment and anger toward another person. I held great anger and disappointment toward myself. This kept me from trusting others, and prevented forgiveness.
While I continuously prayed for relief from the pain of that time, I was stuck. I couldn’t allow God to intervene. But God kept working on my heart.
When I was finally able to let go of the emotional prison that held me captive, I found the freedom and capability to let forgiveness flow toward the offender and myself.
Those emotions no longer control me. Life has continued on, our Lord continues to guide me along my path of faith, and joy has returned to my heart.
Have I forgotten that time in my life? As you can tell, no! The lessons learned remain, but the emotions no longer control me.
God said through the prophet Isaiah (43:18-19), “Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?”
God has done a new thing — in Jesus Christ! Jesus offers new life, a way of letting go of past hurt, anger and resentment. He offers the kind of forgiveness for which so many of us cry out. He offers new life, new hope, new joy.
Jesus will heal the wounds in your heart. Ask him to soften your heart to let go of emotions from the past, but to let you remember the lessons learned.
The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: BROADHEAD: Learn life lessons, but overcome past pain