To overcome bad memories you must:
1) Reframe them. Looking back, Joseph said, ‘You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good’ (Genesis 50:20 NASB).
2) Reject them. The next time a bad memory resurfaces, refuse to entertain it. ‘Do not…ponder the things of the past.’
3) Refocus your thoughts. ‘Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead’ (Philippians 3:13 NKJV).
You say, ‘I can’t help remembering.’ If you can recall your troubles, you can recall your blessings. The most effective way to overcome bad memories - is to replace them with good ones! And here’s some great news: every promise God gives you contains the power to fulfil it. So meditate on these words and personalise them: ‘Fear not…do not feel humiliated, for you will not be disgraced; but you will forget the shame of your youth’ (Isaiah 54:4 NASB). ‘The former things shall not be remembered or come into mind…be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create’ (Isaiah 65:17-18 AMP Classic Edition). Notice the word create. God can create beauty out of ashes and order out of chaos - but it doesn’t happen overnight. You’ll do a lot of growing and forgiving along the way. In some cases you’ll forgive others; in other cases you’ll forgive yourself. You say, ‘But all those promises are from the Old Testament!’ Yes, but the Bible says, ‘He carries out and fulfils all of [His] promises, no matter how many…there are’ (2 Corinthians 1:20 TLB). So bring your bad memories to God and let Him heal them.
Josh 13-15, John 3:1-21
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