Help me to experience your healing grace

The things of the past shall not be remembered or come to mind. 

Wouldn’t you love to live in a place like this?   A place of rejoicing and happiness?   A place of freedom and peace?   A place where the future always looks bright because the past no longer haunts us?

Our memories can be filled with past hurts.   We grapple to forgive people who have wronged us.   We struggle to forgive ourselves.   Our memories pile up and arouse painful emotions, keeping us trapped in the past.

Isaiah tells us it doesn’t have to be that way.   He promises that God will create a new heaven so glorious that we won’t have any room left in our hearts to dwell on the past.   Even today, we can begin to experience this healing of our memories.   That’s because, unlike us, God doesn’t hold our failures in his mind.   He sees everything through the lens of mercy.

God stands ready to heal your memories: both of wrongs you have done and wrongs done to you.   But it doesn’t happen like amnesia; painful memories don’t suddenly disappear.   Rather, God helps you see them through the eyes of Christ.   He helps you see a bigger picture, a picture of restoration for everyone.

It doesn’t happen overnight.   Hurt, especially deep hurt, takes time to heal.   But that’s not a roadblock for God.   He is infinitely patient.   So here is a method you can use to help you receive his healing love.

When a painful memory arises, take it to prayer.   In your mind, imagine Jesus entering the room and sitting next to you.   Picture the compassion in his eyes, the care and concern he has.   Go ahead and tell him all about what happened.   As you do, imagine how he reacts.   Perhaps you’ll see him putting an arm around your shoulder.   Maybe he is weeping with you or holding you close, assuring you that he has not rejected you.   Whatever you imagine, know that if it is assuring and upbuilding, it’s probably the Holy Spirit helping you let go of the hurt.

Every time you bring this memory to the Lord like this, he will pour out more grace.   You will be able to recall the past with less pain as you look toward the future with Jesus.   It’s a future of joy and peace in his presence forever.

word among us