Looking back in forgiveness

http://www.examiner.com/christian-inspiration-in-oakland/looking-back-forgiveness 365 days in a year is a lot of time to make history. Much happens in a year whether you feel like it went quick or slow. Life in a year can bring fond memories or horrible nightmares. One thing is certain in 365 days, a lot happens in a year. As we wrap-up the year 2010, it’s important to prepare our hearts, minds, and spirits to successfully transition from the year 2010 into the New Year 2011. In order to move forward, we have to let go of some ‘things’ and leave some ‘things’ behind. Moving forward is a choice and it doesn’t automatically happen at 12:00 am January 1, 2011. Memories which make our history can never be forgotten because they are part of our journey, our past, our history; whether it’s an event, person, or thing we’ve experienced. History is created by occurrence, experience, and memories which can serve to push us into our future or keep us locked in our past. The memories that you should be concerned about the most in these next couple of days are the memories in 2010 and earlier that have historically hindered you from moving forward spiritually and mentally. Memories that act as mental and spiritual prison cells are caused by pain, rejection, fear, disappointment, and failure. These negative memories that are connected to emotions paralyze you from any forward progress and keeps you from your destiny. You can’t deny these occurrences and experiences never happened nor can you ignore the fact that they affect you. In order to move forward with these memories as simply memories and not hindrances, is through forgiveness. Forgiveness is the prerequisite to moving forward. As long as you hold on to unforgiveness and regret, that same grip will keep you from progressing; and from moving forward. You have to ask the Holy Spirit in these next couple of days to help you forgive yourself for making bad decisions, forgive your past for the disappointment it may have brought, and most of all to help you forgive others that may have caused you pain. When you learn to forgive, you allow God to remove the power of negative memories so that you can move forward in faith. Zig Ziglar said ‘Mistakes are events, not people, and yesterday ended last night’. You are not a mistake or an accident, and your future has not been determined yet. Allow yourself to forgive so that you can receive healing and faith to move forward. Matthew 5:23-24 (New International Version, ©2010) 23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.