Another Year’s Resolution
In January, everyone makes resolutions for the coming year. Yes, I usually do this too. Yet, I’m seldom able to keep them. One year I resolved to not eat sweets for six months. I decided Stevia was fine since it wasn’t really sugar! It took one month and slowly the sugar crept back into my “diet.” Another time I resolved not to eat French fries for six months. French fries are my favorite. All it took was George bringing home McDonald’s French fries and that resolution went out the window. I said I wanted only one but I ate them all! When I fail and renege on my optimistic resolutions, I feel guilty, but I can’t go back.
Does the enemy use your past against you? For years, I dwelt on a statement a teacher made to me when I was in junior high, embarrassing me in front of the class. At times I have worried that I did not say “I love you” or “thank you” enough to my mom before she passed. Regrets come easily. Even today, I can be bombarded with memories of hurt or guilt or feel shameful over things the Lord has already forgiven me of.
The enemy likes to dredge up the past to taunt you, but those thoughts need to be captured and replaced with the truth—God forgives us and frees us of all sin for all time. Dwelling on the past obstructs our ability to receive the Lord’s forgiveness and release the pain of past hurts and regrets. Not releasing the past prevents us from fully experiencing the transformation He offers. That teacher that hurt me so badly over 60 years ago probably doesn’t even remember her statement, but I dwelled on it for years, which did me no good. We must stop dwelling on the negative, take our thoughts captive, and replace them with God’s truth. As Isaiah writes, “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (43:18-19 ESV).
The word wilderness in this verse is reminiscent of the Israelites wandering in the desert, grumbling, complaining, and dwelling on their past. This is what happens when we hang onto former things—we cannot move forward. We miss the blessings God has for us in this moment and perhaps even in the future. We wander around and around that place of negative regurgitation, getting absolutely nowhere. Like a fresh, clear river, the Holy Spirit makes “streams in the desert,” washing away the past and cleansing us if we allow it. God is constantly doing new things in our lives, and we don’t want to miss out on the blessings He has for us today by allowing the past to distract us or make us feel unworthy.
This year my resolution is to put the negative thoughts about the past behind me. How can we keep the enemy from taunting us to dwell on our hurts and regrets? First we must capture our thoughts and ask the Holy Spirit to cleanse our minds. It sounds easy but honestly it isn’t. Satan likes us to remember those regrets to sew bitterness and resentment in our hearts. But we have the authority to rebuke the enemy and tell him we will no longer dwell on them, and remind him that God is “doing a new thing!” Just as Jesus responded to the devil’s temptations with scripture, so can we.
If you feel trapped in negative thoughts, you can repeat God’s promises. Some of my favorites are: “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39 ESV). “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1 ESV). “The Lord your God is in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love; He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy” (Zephaniah 3:17 NASB). Can you imagine the Lord shouting over you with joy and love? Search the scriptures and make a list of verses to repeat to the enemy. Having God’s Word hidden in your heart when temptations come is a powerful tool to destroy the enemy’s work.
This New Year, my resolution is to fight the wrong thoughts Satan sends my way and dwell on the good, joyous, wonderful blessings the Lord sends my way. I may have to fight hard, but I am resolved to live a victorious life with the Holy Spirit living inside of me. I do not want to miss out on the blessings the Lord has for me. I want to live for today and dwell on the positive. No weapon formed against me will prosper. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). I trust God has a plan for a flourishing future, for you and for me.
Let’s pray:
Lord, I come to You as the One who loves me unconditionally. The One who tells me over and over You care. Your mercy is overwhelming, and your love abounds for me. Each time a thought that is not from You arises, help me not to dwell on the past but be in the present with You. Help me fight and win against Satan by not dwelling on the negative thoughts he puts in my mind. Help me recount all the wonders and approvals from You. Thank You, Lord, for promising me a storehouse full of blessings and favor from You. I speak praises unto You. Amen.
