by Ricky Chelette, Executive Director
Have you ever wished that you could start over again? I have. And if you are like many people I know, you probably do, too.
Our past impacts us
Every week, I have the privilege to listen to individuals who struggle with their sexuality, identity, and gender. Many of them suffered sexual, emotional, or physical abuse as a child or in early adulthood. The pain of those experiences often haunts them. The abuse frequently causes deep feelings of shame, unworthiness, and feelings of inadequacy as a man or a woman that they are still trying to overcome. They long for a new beginning but often feel the pain of the past is too great and the wounds too deep for real healing to occur.
Our past can define us
As a person who journeys with individuals who have had sexual and emotional traumas in their lives, I continue to see the impact of childhood trauma in adult lives. Some individuals seem trapped in their abuse. Though functioning adults, they are often chained to the past, emotionally and spiritually, believing that what took place years or decades ago still defines who they are today. Their ruminations on the past become an ever-present burden, speaking lies to them that often drown out the truth of their abilities and calling and even prevent them from fully embracing God’s love for them.
Though I certainly do not want to minimize the impact or import of our past or the scars and lies they imbed in our lives, I also know that overemphasizing them can hinder our present life and derail our future joy.
Jesus changes everything
One of the unique realities of the gospel is that it informs the believer that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Cor.5:17) Does that mean that when we are saved, we suddenly don’t remember anything that took place before that moment of surrender? Of course not. But it does mean that at the moment of our salvation, the blood of Christ and the Holy Spirit of God covers and transforms us so that our past no longer defines our present reality or our future.
In other words, God allows us to draw a line that acknowledges our past, pain, and brokenness but empowers us to live differently than our past would demand. We no longer live in the hurt but recognize the past as a shaping factor in who we are, not the defining reality of how we live.
I meet many men and women who ruminate on their past hurt as though it is a name badge or a wholehearted description of their personhood. It is neither. As new creations in Christ, we recognize the wounding of our past but embrace the born-again reality of Christ’s work on our behalf. We are a child of God with a new identity in Christ and a new inheritance in the kingdom. Our salvation shifts not only our eternal destination, but also our present identity and worldview. The Kingdom of God has come into our lives, and we are no longer citizens of this world but adopted sons and daughters of God (Jn 1:12)! We are no longer defined by our past but by Christ’s completed work on the cross. Even modern psychology acknowledges that ruminating over past childhood traumas can cause ongoing difficulties in adulthood.1
What we focus on we become
Our focus must not be on what was but on the One who has set us free from the bondage and sin that once defined and hindered us. We must “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to us” (Matt 6:33). When we focus on Christ and our adoption as His son or daughter, the words of the old hymn become radically evident.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus.
Look full in His wonderful face.
And the things of the past grow strangely dim,
in the light of His glory and grace.2
We must draw the line
Let’s stop allowing our past hurts to define us. Let’s stop navel gazing and lint-picking every hurt as though its power is greater than the power of the gospel. The gospel Christ offers transforms everything about us into a new creation. We are now given a new beginning, born not of this world but of the kingdom, and freed to be a light amid the darkness. Jesus offers a new beginning when we accept, believe in, and surrender to Him. Do not allow your past to continue to abuse your present and hinder your future. Christ has set you free. Draw the line in the sand of your life today. Focus on Christ and let His healing and power transform your life.
If you are ready for a new beginning with Christ, we would be honored to journey with you. Please contact us.
1 “In both non-clinical and clinical populations, worry and rumination seem to be common among adults exposed to childhood abuse or childhood neglect. Among adults who have been exposed to childhood adversities, rumination seems to be associated with worse clinical outcomes, such as severe psychiatric symptoms, depression, dysphoria, suicidal ideation, cognitive complaints, post-traumatic stress symptoms and aggression.” Adverse childhood experiences and repetitive negative thinking in adulthood: A systematic review. Giovanni Mansueto, Chiara Cavallo, Sara Palmieri, Giovanni Maria Ruggiero, Sandra Sassaroli, Gabriele Caselli, First published: 16 April 2021 https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.2590
2 The Heavenly Vision (Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus), words and music by Helen Howarth Lemmel, 1922.