All to Him I Owe

Each of us has distinguishing physical features, including scars that are simply part of who we are. Each of my scars represents a story, involving either my foolishness or something that happened to me outside my control.

Our past is like that! It is marked by scars that are the result of our foolishness and scars that represent events outside our control. I talked to a teen recently who told me he wished there was a way to completely erase his memory so he could start a day with a completely clean slate. Like that teen, many of us think we would be better off with no memory of the past. But is that true? What if our past is not entirely a bad thing? What if there were a way to look at our negative-seeming past in a positive way?

Our past is in essence a record of God’s past dealings with us. Last week I encouraged you to think correctly about God when you survey your past, and that means to focus on Who God is while you review what happened to you. Below are two suggestions to help you clarify your view of God.

1. As you read God’s Word, look for characters in Scripture who had circumstances similar to yours. Study their lives asking this question: “What did God do in their lives that He has also done in mine?” I believe you will find many parallels. Just as God spared them from things, He has spared you from things. Think about it right now. What has He spared you from? I believe you will also find that just as God gave special provision to them, God has also met your needs in special ways. Combat bad memories of the past with thanks for the things God provided in your past. You will also find that God often led people to particular destinations and for particular causes through the difficulties they encountered. Have you thought about the places God has led you and the things He has allowed you to do as a result of your past? This simple exercise has a way of driving us to the Word where we are reminded that God is constantly at work in our lives and does not take His hand off us during hardships.

2. Look for promises in Scripture. Do you realize that God’s promises are not prevented by the difficulties we encounter in life? He is a God of His Word. He always does what He said He would do. As you look for promises in Scripture, stop and ask yourself, “How have I seen these promises fulfilled in my past?”