Jeremiah remembered a painful memory in Lamentations 3.
He said he chose to remember (vv.21-23) The result gave him belonging and hope (v.24). Jeremiah showed us how to handle memories. Acknowledge the tough time. Remember God's benefit in it, and let our soul speak truth about that memory. Do you have some dusty old books in your closet you've tried to forget because they are so painful? Pull them out and ask God to shine the light of His truth on them. He can give meaning and make even painful memories profitable.
Lamentations 3:21-24 (New International Version, ©2010)
21 Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”
Isaiah 61:3 (New International Version, ©2010)
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
Isaiah 61:3 shows what God can do with painful memories. Let's give some bins in our thought closet some labels. Post the meaning God can give to even your hardest memories.
Bin #1- He will give me___________instead of ashes.
Bin #2- He will give me the _______instead of mourning.
Bin #3- He will give a ________instead of a spirit of despair.
Beauty instead of ashes
ReplyDeleteJoy instead of mourning
Garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair